49ers rule out Mike Evans, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel against the Falcons as injuries pile up

The unbeaten San Francisco 49ers will be badly shorthanded in Atlanta on Sunday. Receiver Mike Evans and defensive end Nick Bosa were ruled out Friday after neither practiced all week.

Evans is dealing with Achilles tendinitis while Bosa is still working back from a calf injury. Receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and safety Marques Sigle (ankle) are also out. So are linebackers Luke Gifford (groin) and Garret Wallow (hamstring).

Coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers will likely have fewer than the maximum 48 players on their game-day roster even after practice squad call-ups Saturday. "I don't think ever in my career [has that happened]," Shanahan said. "It's a unique situation."

Help is on the way at receiver

The receiver room was already thin. Ricky Pearsall (knee), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) are also sidelined.

Veteran Christian Kirk is expected to step in. He has been on injured reserve since hurting a calf in the first days of training camp in July. The team released defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday to open a roster spot for him. Kirk is listed as questionable, but Shanahan called that a formality and said Kirk is set to play.

"Thankfully for me, I've played enough ball, I've played a lot of football and have got a lot of experience," Kirk said Thursday.

A setback for Bosa

Bosa has been out since before Week 3, when he hurt his calf during a walk-through. He had recently said he hoped to be back for this game. Shanahan said Bosa was sore the day after a workout, which surprised everyone. "I just think he was a little too optimistic," the coach said.

Evans felt his Achilles flare up just before halftime of Monday's win over Washington. He did not return to that game.

San Francisco has its bye in Week 8, so both stars will get extra time to heal. Mykel Williams, Romello Height, Keion White and Khalid Kareem are the available edge rushers against the Falcons. Cornerback Upton Stout and safety Siran Neal returned to practice Friday and are questionable.