Undefeated 49ers face dangerous reality as Brock Purdys receiving corps crumbles

How often in the Kyle Shanahan era could we say the 49ers weren’t built to win a shootout?At least for one week, the tables are turned.Mike Evans will not suit up which means Brock Purdy will be missing all of his top six receivers.A hobbled Evans will have extra time to rest with the bye week on the horizon.At 6-0, the 49ers have the margin for error to play it safe this week.But if they want to take their perfect record into their bye — then they’re going to have to find another way to win.That starts and ends with Raheem Morris’ game plan against his former employer.But even if Morris’ unit pitches a shutout, Shanahan will have to find a way to do something he wasn’t able to last week as San Francisco escaped with a 23-17 win over the Commanders:Move the ball and put points on the board without Evans.The two games that Evans has left early with injuries have simultaneously been the 49ers’ closest calls to spoiling their unbeaten beginning to the season.They went up 23-6 shortly after Evans left with broken ribs in Week 3 only to barely hang on to beat the Cardinals 36-30.

Last week, they nearly allowed a 23-3 advantage to evaporate once Evans left the game.If plus-minus was a football stat, Evans would be right near the top of the league leaders.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story A full game without their undisputed top receiver could be too much to overcome.That is, unless the 49ers’ remaining crew of castaways and never-beens has something to say about it.If anybody has the ability to scheme open an overmatched receiver, it’s Shanahan.“Maybe he’s not calling all the ones he’d call for Mike Evans, but we’re still calling plays,”  said tight end George Kittle, who will probably act as Purdy’s top option.

“I think we’re on o...