SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS' MIKE EVANS CARTED OFF WITH RIB INJURY

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans was taken off the field during the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals after sustaining a rib injury, according to reports from the match. Evans took a heavy hit while catching a pass in the second quarter and walked to the sideline in visible pain, one report said. He then went down and had to be helped onto a cart before being taken to the locker room. One report described him as struggling to breathe as he was carted off the field. The full extent of the injury has not been confirmed.

Evans has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons, according to the report. He missed most of last season through a string of injuries, including a hamstring strain, a concussion and a broken collarbone, and also missed time the previous year with a separate hamstring problem. The 49ers were also without cornerback Deommodore Lenoir for much of the first half after he was evaluated for a concussion during the same game. Lenoir was subsequently cleared and returned to the field in the second half.

The 49ers said they hope Evans can recover from the rib injury soon, according to the report. Despite the setbacks to both Evans and Lenoir, San Francisco continued to lead on the scoreboard against Arizona. The 49ers were ahead of the Cardinals 17-6 in the third quarter at the time of reporting. No timeline for Evans's return has been disclosed. Lenoir's return after clearing concussion protocols eased one of the team's two injury concerns from the game.