Mike Evans to be a game-time decision for 49ers vs. Broncos with rib injury

The 49ers will make a late call on Mike Evans on Sunday, as Kyle Shanahan said the veteran receiver's status against the Denver Broncos will be a game-time decision while he deals with a rib injury.

It is a painful problem, and one Evans intends to play through. San Francisco listed Evans as officially questionable for the Denver game, with beat reports echoing Shanahan's framing that the decision will go down to the wire before kickoff.

Evans remains a central piece of the 49ers' passing game, and the injury comes as the club looks to get back on track against a Broncos defense that has been disruptive up front. Shanahan's willingness to hold the call until Sunday suggests the ailment is week-to-week rather than long-term, but it leaves San Francisco with at least some uncertainty at receiver as it finalizes its Week 4 plan.

The 49ers will continue to monitor Evans' progress in the hours before kickoff, and his official status will determine how much the offense can lean on its top target against a Denver secondary expected to test the passing game.