49ers Sign Evans & Greenlaw Despite Injury Concerns

NFL executive questions risky free agent moves by San Francisco

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:43am by

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football game or match, with the players' bodies and the field abstracted into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the tension and risk inherent in the 49ers' free agent decisions.The 49ers' risky free agent signings of injury-prone stars Mike Evans and Dre Greenlaw raise questions about the team's roster-building strategy.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Dre Greenlaw as free agents, despite concerns over their injury histories. An anonymous NFL executive criticized the 49ers' decisions, arguing the players' injury risks may outweigh their potential benefits.

Why it matters

The 49ers' moves highlight the delicate balance teams must strike between acquiring talented players and managing injury risks, especially for high-profile free agents. The debate over these signings reflects the broader challenges NFL teams face in building competitive rosters while keeping players healthy.

The details

Mike Evans, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has missed significant time in recent seasons due to hamstring and knee injuries. Dre Greenlaw, a promising young linebacker, has also dealt with various injuries that have limited his availability. The 49ers are betting that the upside of these players outweighs their injury histories, but an anonymous NFL executive questioned the wisdom of these moves.

  • Evans last missed 6 games in the 2022 season due to a hamstring injury.
  • Greenlaw missed 10 games in 2024 with a core muscle injury.

The players

Mike Evans

A seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who has dealt with hamstring and knee injuries in recent seasons.

Dre Greenlaw

A promising young linebacker for the 49ers who has missed significant time due to various injuries.

Anonymous NFL Executive

A high-ranking league official who criticized the 49ers' decisions to sign Evans and Greenlaw.

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What they’re saying

“We must be careful about signing players with extensive injury histories. The risk often outweighs the potential reward.”

— Anonymous NFL Executive

What’s next

The 49ers will monitor the health of Evans and Greenlaw closely during the offseason and training camp to ensure they are ready for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The 49ers' free agent signings of Evans and Greenlaw highlight the difficult decisions teams face in balancing talent and injury risk when building their rosters. While the players' potential upside is enticing, their injury histories raise concerns about their long-term availability and durability.