Kyle Shanahan says the 6-0 49ers may not fill a 48-man game-day roster in Atlanta, something he has never faced

The unbeaten San Francisco 49ers may walk into Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday unable to fill a full game-day roster. Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that injuries have cut so deep into his 6-0 team that it might not reach the 48 players a club is allowed to dress, a problem he said he had not met before as a head coach.

“I don’t think ever in my career, so it’s a unique situation,” Shanahan said as he wrapped up preparations for the trip to Atlanta.

The reason is a list of six players already ruled out: wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, defensive lineman Nick Bosa, linebackers Garret Wallow and Luke Gifford, and safety Marques Sigle. Shanahan explained that practice-squad call-ups cannot close the whole gap, so the staff has prepared some players to work away from their usual spots. Even offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. is among those who could be pressed into service at wide receiver in an emergency.

Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media ahead of Atlanta. https://t.co/zKt1sRniYP

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 23, 2026

Who fills the gaps

The receiver room is where the shortage bites hardest. Evans went down early in the second quarter of Monday night’s 23-17 win over Washington after catching three passes for 94 yards, and Samuel is nursing a hamstring. Christian Kirk, back from injured reserve, practiced fully all week and is set for his first game of the season, with Jordan Watkins also in line for more snaps. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said several players will have to take on bigger jobs.

On defense, Shanahan addressed why Bosa will miss another game after the edge rusher had said he expected to face the Falcons. The coach said Bosa was a little too optimistic and woke up sore the day after a workout. Bosa has not played since the 35-13 win over Miami in Week 2.

Shanahan also warned against reading too much into Atlanta’s 2-4 record. “We got a number of guys down. We know they do too, but they’re a team that their record doesn’t show it,” he said, adding that the film shows how big a test the trip will be.

Why the timing matters

San Francisco has not opened a season with six straight wins since 2019, and it has outscored opponents 177 to 110. The bye comes straight after this game, which gives the training room two weeks before the next kickoff and is the main reason the club is not rushing anyone back. The Falcons have scored 142 points and allowed 153, and they are coming off a loss to the Bears.

Final decisions on Kirk and the other questionable players, cornerback Upton Stout and defensive back Siran Neal, will come with the inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff.

What comes next

Kickoff in Atlanta is 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 25; follow it in the Game Center. After the bye, the 49ers host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, November 8, while the Falcons visit Tampa Bay on Sunday, November 1.