What happened: San Francisco begins its season Thursday with Brock Purdy throwing to newcomer Evans. Cornerback Jack Jones earned a place on the 53-man roster after a productive preseason.
Why it matters: George Kittle and De'Zhaun Stribling also figure into the competition for targets, shaping Evans' workload. Opening against a division opponent gives the result immediate relevance to the NFC West race.
By the numbers: Jones recorded three pass breakups during the preseason.
What to watch: Watch how Purdy distributes targets and how much defensive playing time Jones earns in the opener.