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ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Evans is among five San Francisco 49ers inactives for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, but San Francisco has Deebo Samuel Sr. back and will have Keenan Allen in uniform for the first time since acquiring him from the Indianapolis Colts. Kickoff between the 7-1 49ers and the 4-5 Cowboys is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
Joining Evans on the list of five inactives are quarterback Kurtis Rourke, offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr., linebacker Tatum Bethune, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Rourke is the 49ers’ emergency third quarterback. Rourke can enter only if both active quarterbacks are unavailable because of injury or disqualification.
Evans did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday because of an Achilles injury, and the team ruled him out Friday on its official injury report. At his Friday press conference, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan laid out why San Francisco is giving the injury more time.
“It’s been going well,” Shanahan said. “I’m sure if this was the last game or something he’d be able to go out there, but we’re just trying to make sure it fully heals so it doesn’t act up again. But, it’s going in the right direction.” Shanahan added that there is a chance Evans returns next week, though he was not sure yet.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Returns As Keenan Allen Makes 49ers Debut
Samuel had missed three straight games since hurting his hamstring in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. After limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, he was a full participant Friday and drew no game designation. Shanahan said Samuel had a good week and is healthy, though in his first week back he is still getting back into it physically.
Allen faced Dallas last week as a member of the Colts. His first week of practice with San Francisco wrapped up Friday. Shanahan confirmed the six-time Pro Bowl selection will have a role Sunday and talked about how much of the offense Allen still has to absorb.
“He had a good week. Got three good practices in,” Shanahan said. “I know he’s catching up, putting a lot on his plate, working hard to get it and expect him to get more and more each week, but it was a good first start this week.”
Trent Williams, Dre Greenlaw Among Five Questionable 49ers Who Are Active
The five 49ers on the active roster who carried questionable tags into the weekend are available. Left tackle Trent Williams (shoulder) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (knee) are available, as are cornerback Renardo Green (back), defensive back Deommodore Lenoir (foot), and cornerback Upton Stout (shoulder, neck).
Two other players listed as questionable Friday, cornerback Nate Hobbs (adductor) and defensive lineman C.J. West (knee), were downgraded to out Saturday. Both remain on injured reserve, so neither counts among the five inactives.
Tight end Jake Ferguson is one of seven inactives for Dallas. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receivers George Pickens and KaVontae Turpin are active, according to Dallas Sports Journal’s Cowboys inactives report.
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