New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans will be counted on to make a big impact on his team in 2026. And perhaps even beyond this season. But it won't come easily, especially after some injuries the star wideout has dealt with in recent seasons.
Evans, who will turn 33 in August, played in only eight games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season and finished with just 368 receiving yards. That disappointing season broke a streak of 12 consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns (every season he had played before 2025). And while those are certainly the types of numbers that can land you in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Evans undoubtedly believes he can still produce at a high level.
And he's not the only one. Former 49ers and Hall of Fame WR Terrell Owens told NFL writer Kyle Odegard that he believes the six-time Pro Bowler can play well into his 30s, the way Owens himself did. But only if Evans makes a couple of important changes, namely to his training and his diet.
"Obviously, he's been battling the hamstring injuries over the last few years with the Buccaneers, and that's of some concern," Owens said. "Hopefully, he can do some things in the offseason to eliminate that. It's usually been late in the season when he's been hurt, so he has to change up what he's doing from a training standpoint. Even nutrition."
Owens believes the 49ers can make a postseason run in 2026, and he believes the addition of Evans can help. But he noted that the former Tampa receiver needs to be healthy late in the season for his team to rely on him.
"There's obviously something going on," Owens added. "Bodies can get out of alignment. Hips and things of that nature. If he can address that and be productive, be available for the team toward the end of the season and into the playoffs, they've got a good chance."
Owens epitomized great health when he played, regardless of the season or his age. In his 15-year career, the Hall of Famer only missed 21 games. In fact, Owens missed only two games in his final three seasons. His ages in those seasons? 35, 36, and 37.
Contrast that to one of the 49ers' most recent draftees at wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, who has already missed 14 games in only two NFL seasons. Granted, it was a gunshot wound that impacted his first NFL season. Still, the 49ers could use a healthy Evans to set the example for their younger receivers.
"I always prioritized my health and always came into camp healthy," Owens said. "I only had an issue one time, and that was 2006 with the Cowboys going into training camp. I never really had any soft tissue injuries. These hamstring issues have been [Evans'] Achilles' heel these last few years, but I'm sure the 49ers are aware of that. Hopefully their strength and conditioning coaches can do something to address it."
Evans is joining a 49ers team that has struggled with a barrage of soft tissue injuries in recent years, especially last season. The hope is that this season will be different for the 49ers—and for Evans. Perhaps San Francisco should consider hiring Owens to help everyone stay healthier.
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