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November 6, 2026
49ers Notebook

Christian Kirk hurt his meniscus, and surgery is still undecided

Kyle Shanahan said Demarcus Robinson will most likely come off injured reserve for Sunday. Nick Bosa is cleared after missing five games.

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Sam KezarNov 6, 20263 min read
Every call on this site goes on a public ledger and gets graded. The misses stay up.
Jordan Watkins, hood pulled up over a white 49ers practice jersey, looks down during a practice.

Christian Kirk hurt his meniscus, Kyle Shanahan said Friday, and the 49ers have not decided whether he needs surgery. "We're not sure yet. Still trying to decide," Shanahan said. Asked whether the meniscus is torn, he said: "I don't know. It said meniscus."

Kirk is out Sunday against Las Vegas. Shanahan said he was hurt "yesterday." The club's report has him limited with a knee on Wednesday and not practicing Thursday, and Shanahan was not asked about the difference. Kirk came off injured reserve on Oct. 24 and has played one game as a 49er: 20 of 66 snaps at Atlanta, no catches.

The receivers. Kirk, Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) are all out, which is three of the six receivers on the 53. It is Evans's second straight missed game and Samuel's third. Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins are the three left, with 13 catches for 218 yards this season, combined. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the club could also elevate KhaDarel Hodge from the practice squad.

Robinson. Asked whether Robinson and Nate Hobbs would be activated, Shanahan said: "Most likely D-Rob. Not sure on Nate." Robinson is listed questionable after three limited practices with his ankle. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the spot has to be created by 1 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Robinson has five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in two games, and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said Thursday that "he jumped right back in there like he hasn't missed a beat."

The roster spot. The 53 is full on the club's roster page. San Francisco's last two moves of this kind were releases: Kevin Givens for Kirk on Oct. 24, and Jack Jones for DeForest Buckner on Oct. 28. Shanahan did not say where Robinson's spot comes from. Hobbs would need a second one.

Hobbs. He is questionable with an adductor injury and was limited all three days. He has been on injured reserve since Aug. 31. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Thursday that Hobbs played inside and outside before he got hurt, and that the club has to "get him caught up."

Bosa. "Cleared to go. Had a real good week. I'm excited to have him back," Shanahan said. The club's report has Bosa in full on Friday after two limited days, with no game designation. Sunday would be his first game beside Buckner since the trade. Morris, asked Thursday how Buckner fits with Osa Odighizuwa, said: "I wouldn't really put them in a bucket."

McCaffrey. Shanahan said he is cleared too. He sat Wednesday, was limited Thursday and practiced in full Friday, with no designation.

Stout and Neal. Both are questionable. Morris said Thursday that Upton Stout had come back "feeling 20 times better." The club's report has Stout (shoulder) limited all three days. Siran Neal (knee, foot) was limited Friday after sitting out the first two.

Las Vegas. Defensive tackle Thomas Booker (ankle) is out. Cornerback Darien Porter (groin) is questionable after a full practice Friday.

Purdy. He has 99 touchdown passes in 56 career games, per ESPN. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area wrote Friday that one more on Sunday, in game 57, would make him the fastest in games to 100 in franchise history, ahead of Frankie Albert's 65.

The call. Kirk is on injured reserve by Sunday's kickoff. A meniscus with surgery on the table and a full 53 both point there. The case against is what this club has just done: Bosa missed five games and Samuel will have missed three, neither went on injured reserve, and the last two roster spots came from releases.

Sources: Shanahan transcript, club communications via 49ers Webzone (11-06); 49ers.com injury report (Wed, Thu, Fri); Morris and Kubiak transcripts via 49ers Webzone (11-05); NBC Sports Bay Area (11-05, 11-06), Matt Maiocco (11-06); Niners Nation (11-06); official game book, SF at ATL; ESPN; 49ers.com roster page and transaction log.

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