San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa (97) grabbles against Miami Dolphins' Austin Jackson (73) as Bosa tries to reach Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Malik Willis (2) in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa (97) grabbles against Miami Dolphins’ Austin Jackson (73) as Bosa tries to reach Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Malik Willis (2) in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CLARA — While wide receiver Mike Evans misses his first game of the season, defensive end Nick Bosa is out a fifth straight game, even though two weeks ago Bosa predicted he “definitely” would be back for the 49ers’ visit to Atlanta on Sunday.
“He worked out the day after he talked to you guys and was sore, and that surprised all of us,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday. “It wasn’t a great sign. He was a little too optimistic.”
Bosa, who turned 29 on Friday, has worked through a calf strain since Sept. 24. He’s been doing short-burst runs to prepare for an eventual comeback that now must happen after next weekend’s bye.
Seven other players are also out: Evans, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, safety Marques Sigle and linebackers Luke Gifford and Garrett Wallow. Questionable are safety Siran Neal, cornerback Upton Stout and wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Friday’s other status reports:
— Evans is out because of his Achilles pain, which forced him out just before halftime of Sunday’s 23-17 win over Washington.
— While Samuel sits out a second straight game because of a hamstring injury, Kirk is expected to come off Injured Reserve on Saturday for what will be his 49ers’ debut.
— Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo was released, perhaps setting up his return to the practice squad and a game-day elevation, as happened two weeks ago.
ONE-YARD WONDER
If the 49ers sniff the goal line, their go-to move has been getting the ball to Christian McCaffrey. He has six 1-yard touchdown runs, his most in a season. Falcons counterpart Bijan Robinson has five 1-yard runs in his career since 2023.
“Christian, you wouldn’t say he’s a ‘big back’ but he’s phenomenal in short yardage and goal-line situations,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “I think it’s his ability to find those little cracks and be able to just push through. There’s been multiple times where we didn’t block it correctly and missed a guy and somebody’s got an arm on him, but he doesn’t hesitate and chop his feet.”
Said McCaffrey: “When you are on the goal line, it’s not a different mindset. Your mindset every time you touch the ball is to go score.”
PURDY’S SCRAMBLES
Brock Purdy’s 156 rushing yards are his most ever six games into a season, reflecting his ability to escape the pocket and limit opponents to five sacks so far.
“He does a nice job of taking the best escape route and oftentimes what he does a nice job of is staying in the heart of the pocket,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Their tackles throw guys by and he’s staying in the heart of the pocket and exiting through the ‘B’ gaps. There is an innate sense the quarterbacks have of feeling the rush but not watching the rush.”
FALCONS’ STATUS
Falcons rookie Kendal Daniels, carted off last Sunday with a neck injury, is questionable while fellow linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm) is out, as are former 49ers running back Brian Robinson (hamstring), backup tackle Michael Jerrell (bicep) and defensive back Billy Bowman (hamstring).
Questionable are former 49ers defensive end Samson Ebukam (hamstring), nose tackle Gervon Dexter (hamstring), sack leader Za’Darius Smith (neck), wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (shoulder), tackle Cameron Williams (ankle), and, cornerbacks C.J. Henderson (groin), Avieon Terrell (back) and A.J. Terrell Jr. (groin; Injured Reserve).