Campbell: Lions see RB2 role as a committee

49ers wide receiver Mike Evans did not practice much at training camp this summer due to injuries, but he’s not concerned about his health heading into Thursday’s opener against the Rams.

“The training staff, they did a great job working with me,” Evans said. “I know I’m an older player. I’ve had probably over a thousand practices, football practices in my life now, so I know what I’m doing out there. They know what they’re doing. They did a good job taking care of me. None of my injuries were significant. If it was a game week, I wouldn’t have missed any time.”

Evans missed time with groin and quad issues and he has a history of hamstring injuries that have cost him time, the story said. The story added he told reporters at a press conference in Australia that this summer’s time off was more about precaution than any limitations he was feeling. Evans is poised for a big role in the Niners offense this season - as long as he stays healthy. Ironically, injuries to Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall have made Evans even more important to the offense.

The Falcons will be starting Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 against the Steelers and they won’t be turning to Michael Penix if they decide to make a change during the game.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said at a Monday press conference that Penix will be inactive for the season opener. Cooper Rush will be the backup to Tagovailoa.

“We’re all on the same page, and feel good about where he is heading,” Stefanski said about Penix, via Tori McElhaney of the team’s website.

Related players: Jack Strand

Penix was cleared for full football activities in late August and did not play in the preseason, but Stefanski said that he has been pleased Penix’s progress as he returns from a torn ACL, the story said. A story came out with Penix, himself, saying he wasn't ready to play yet. Stefanski did not say when he thinks Penix will be ready for game action or what the quarterback depth chart will look like once that’s the case, the story added. The team added Rush this offseason and seems high on Strand as well but Rush will be the QB2.

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson are both on the team’s active roster on Monday and the team isn’t expecting that to change ahead of their opener against the 49ers.

“Yeah, absolutely,” McVay said when asked if he expected the pair to be available, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. “That’s what I’ve heard. I haven’t heard anything different.”

As the story points out, the status of Nacua could change at some point in the future, but it looks like Puka will be a go for Thursday night against the 49ers. Of course, Nacua had some off-field issues which are leading to questions about potential league discipline this season.