49ers injury updates: Christian Kirk returns; Mike Evans is dealing with a new injury

The San Francisco 49ers promoted Ogbo Okoronkwo to the active roster and signed linebacker Eugene Asante to the practice squad.

Asante will likely be elevated for Monday Night Football with Dre Greenlaw suspended and Garret Wallow dealing with a hamstring injury.

Asante ran a 4.48 40-yard dash and had a 10-yard split in the 96th percentile. He’s on the roster to cover kicks. Asante was an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2025.

Asante spent time on the practice squads of the Dolphins, Browns, Falcons, and Cardinals. Raheem Morris should be able to vouch for the type of player Asante is. Arizona released him from its practice squad on October 13.

The big news is the 49ers opening the practice window for wide receiver Christian Kirk. He’s been dealing with a calf injury since the first day of training camp.

It’s been three and a half months since Kirk played football. The 49ers have two games before their bye. It’s reasonable to think the Niners will give Kirk a few weeks to get back up to speed and in football shape; that way, he can hit the ground running when they return from the bye.

Kyle Shanahan said Kirk has had setbacks since he hurt his hamstring on the first day of training camp, which is why we haven’t seen him in so long. Shanahan said Kirk had a “real good week and an awesome weekend,” so Thursday’ll be Kirk’s first official day back.

Here are the injuries for Thursday’s practice:

WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring)
LB Garret Wallow (hamstring)
DT James Thompson (ankle)
EDGE Nick Bosa (calf)
S Marques Sigle (ankle
WR Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles)

DB Siran Neal (neck)
RT Colton McKivitz (sick)
FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee)
WR Christian Kirk (calf)
CB Upton Stout (shoulder)

Shanahan said Evans is dealing with Achilles soreness.

As for Bosa’s availability for Monday night, Shanahan said, “Hoping he can go, but not going to practice today.” He believes it won’t be an injury that lingers for the rest of the season.

Linebacker Nick Martin won’t return this week. There was speculation about Martin returning with Greenlaw and Wallow out, but Shanahan said, “He’s not getting up this week.”

Deebo Samuel could head to the injured reserve. Shanahan said, “I think if we didn’t have that bye week, it’d be around that area. But gaining that week where we don’t play is still why we’re trying to wait on that right now. And hope we don’t have to do it.”

Wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is “a ways away,” but Shanahan thinks he’s on track.

There’s an “outside chance” Demarcus Robinson returns before the bye week. Shanahan said they’re hoping to have him back after the bye, which is his way of saying that’s the expectation.