Will the San Francisco 49ers have their top target on the field against the Denver Broncos? Yes. Veteran 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans will be active Sunday against Denver, and that’s a big deal for an offense that needs him in a game like this.

The 49ers didn’t have much reason for optimism early in the week. Evans left last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals early with a rib injury. That set off a week of uncertainty around one of the most important players on this roster.

How Mike Evans’ week went

Evans did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. That’s the kind of stretch that usually ends with a player in street clothes on Sunday. He was limited Friday, and even then, he was doing his work on the side field rather than with the rest of the group.

So how did we get from there to Evans being active? A lot of it comes down to the player himself. Evans told reporters that he’s going to try to fight and do whatever he can.

Look, that tells you everything you need to know about the guy. A veteran receiver with his résumé doesn’t have anything left to prove. He could have taken the week, rested the ribs, and nobody would have blamed him. Instead, he’s pushing to be out there for a big-time game against the Broncos. That’s the kind of attitude you want from your top target, and it matters in a locker room.

Jay Glazer reported that Evans will be wearing some extra protective padding around his midsection to protect that area. Rib injuries are no joke for a receiver. Every catch in traffic and every hit after the catch goes right to that spot. Anything that keeps him from absorbing that contact head-on is going to help.

Why the Brandon Cooks move matters

Now, San Francisco isn’t going into this one blind. The 49ers also made a move to activate Brandon Cooks for this week. That’s a smart bit of insurance.

The reason is simple. Nobody knows how many plays Evans will go for. It could be the full load, or it could be a limited snap count. When you don’t know whether your No. 1 receiver is going to make it through four quarters, you’d better have another veteran body ready to step in.

Cooks gives the 49ers that option. If Evans has to come off the field for a series or two, or if the ribs flare up and he can’t go the rest of the way, San Francisco won’t be scrambling to find snaps at receiver. Don’t get me wrong, nobody is replacing what Evans brings. But having Cooks available keeps the offense from falling off a cliff if the worst happens.

What it means against the Broncos

At the very least, the 49ers will have their top target available, and that changes how Denver has to prepare. A defense has to account for a receiver like Evans whether he plays 30 snaps or 60. Even a limited Evans pulls attention and opens things up for everybody else in the offense. If he’s out on the field, I would expect Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain to shadow him today. 

I don’t know exactly how this plays out. Nobody does, given how the practice week went. But I’ll tell you this much: Evans on the field, even at less than 100 percent, beats Evans on the sideline every single time.

I expect Mike Evans to give it everything he has and for the 49ers to manage his workload smartly with Cooks as the safety net. San Francisco could get real production out of its top receiver against the Broncos. He told everyone he was going to fight for it. I believe him.