The San Francisco 49ers could be without Mike Evans for more than just Week 9. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Sunday that the veteran receiver is a long shot to return in Week 10 while he deals with Achilles tendinitis.

“He is not going to play today [against the Las Vegas Raiders], and I would say he’s questionable at best for next week’s game as well," Garafolo said. "We’ll see how the week goes there. He is improving, he is working his way back, but [49ers running back] Christian McCaffrey dealt with this a couple of years ago so the 49ers know how painful and debilitating it can be.”

Evans has played through a lot of ailments this season, including a rib injury he suffered in Week 3. The Achilles issue cropped up in Week 6 and flared up late in the first half against Washington, when he left the game and didn't return. Evans hasn’t returned to practice since, and head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the 49ers would have to manage the ailment throughout the season.

Evans, 33, signed with San Francisco this year and has been productive when healthy. In six games, he has 27 catches on 39 targets for 420 yards and three touchdowns. He had 113 yards and a score in Week 5 at Seattle and 94 yards on three catches against Washington, before leaving early.

The receiver room is thin for Week 9. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Christian Kirk (knee) are also out. Veteran Demarcus Robinson is set to come off injured reserve after recovering from a high ankle sprain. He'll join Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks as the only healthy receivers for quarterback Brock Purdy.

The 49ers are 6-1 and hoping to win the NFC West, so it makes sense to rest Evans as much as possible until the team absolutely needs him — either at the end of the season or in the postseason.