The San Francisco 49ers held off a fierce Washington Commanders comeback to win 23-17 on Monday Night Football and move to 6-0, but the victory came at a cost, with star receiver Mike Evans ruled out with an Achilles injury. Washington also lost Terry McLaurin to a knee injury in the game, which kicked off at 11.15am on Tuesday, 20 October, Sydney time.
Brock Purdy threw a touchdown pass and Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores as the 49ers built a 20-3 half-time lead at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, before Jayden Daniels threw two second-half touchdown passes to drag Washington back within six points.
San Francisco’s defence then made two late stops. Safety Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Treylon Burks near the goal line with 1:54 left, and Keion White and Romello Height shared the game-clinching sack on Washington’s final play, ESPN reported.
The win extends the 49ers’ best start to a season since they won their first eight games in 2019 on the way to a Super Bowl appearance, according to the Associated Press match report. Washington fell to 1-4-1.
Mike Evans hurt after fast start
Evans had three catches for 94 yards before he left, including a 54-yard catch-and-run that set up San Francisco’s second touchdown in the first quarter, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
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The 33-year-old went down after a 16-yard catch late in the second quarter, stretched his right leg and was helped to the locker room by medical staff, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported. The 49ers first listed him as questionable to return, then ruled him out early in the third quarter.
Evans did not practise all week as he recovered from broken ribs and a sore Achilles, and he went into the game listed as questionable. After the game, coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans left with the “same thing that was bothering him all week” and that he is dealing with Achilles tendinitis. Asked whether Evans would need further testing or imaging, Shanahan said “I don’t believe so”, ESPN reported.
“When you have Achilles tendonitis like he does, it kind of is what it is. … I hope he recovers throughout the week, but you don’t think it’s a long-term thing,” Shanahan said, adding that he hoped Evans would be able to play against the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco’s last game before its bye.
“Obviously having him out there, he’s a Hall of Famer,” Purdy told ESPN after the game, adding: “We still got to find a way to make plays.”
Evans joined San Francisco on a three-year, US$42.4 million deal in free agency after 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CBS Sports reported. He has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns in six games this season.
The injury leaves the 49ers thin at receiver. ESPN reported San Francisco was already without Ricky Pearsall (knee), De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Demarcus Robinson (ankle) and Christian Kirk (calf), while Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was inactive. The 49ers’ receivers other than Evans finished with two catches for 35 yards.
Purdy makes history
Purdy completed 21 of 29 passes for 264 yards, with his touchdown an 11-yard strike to George Kittle on the opening drive. Passing 1,500 career attempts made him the highest-rated passer among qualified quarterbacks in NFL history, with his 105.6 rating ahead of Lamar Jackson’s 102.7, the Associated Press reported.
McCaffrey scored on two 1-yard runs and finished with 25 touches for 117 scrimmage yards, his busiest night of the season, according to ESPN, though he also lost a fumble deep in Washington territory.
Terry McLaurin carted off
McLaurin was hurt running a route late in the first quarter, when his left leg appeared to buckle as he cut near the Washington sideline, ESPN’s John Keim reported. An air cast was placed on his left leg before he was taken off on a cart.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said the knee injury “could be significant”, and McLaurin will have more tests on Tuesday (US time) to determine the severity. “There’s fear,” Quinn said of what the results might show.
The 31-year-old had caught a 27-yard pass on Washington’s opening drive, which led to a field goal. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw also left the game in the first half with a knee injury.
Daniels completed 29 of 40 passes for 300 yards, with touchdown throws to Stefon Diggs from 1 yard and Rachaad White from 9 yards.
What’s next
The 49ers visit the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday (US time). The Commanders have a bye before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on 1 November (US time).
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