Mike Evans Scores as 49ers and Seahawks Trade Early Touchdowns

San Francisco and Seattle exchanged early touchdowns after turnovers shifted momentum in their NFL matchup on October 11, 2026. The 49ers capitalized on quarterback Sam Darnold's interception to score through Mike Evans, while the Seahawks responded with a touchdown by Emanuel Wilson after recovering a muffed punt to make it 7-7. According to coverage from Yahoo Sports, San Francisco needed just four plays to travel 18 yards following Darnold's interception.

The drive ended when Evans caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy, marking his third touchdown of the season. Darnold's turnover came on third down when Renardo Green intercepted a pass intended for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Before the interception, linebacker Jaden Dugger had sacked Darnold for a 7-yard loss, putting Seattle in a difficult position during the sequence.

Purdy completed 2 of 5 passes for 15 yards and a touchdown in Yahoo Sports' initial account of the game. NBC Sports later reported that he had completed 2 of 7 passes for the same yardage and one touchdown.

Seattle tied the score by taking advantage of a special-teams mistake by San Francisco. According to NBC Sports, 49ers punt returner Jacob Cowing muffed a punt from Michael Dickson, allowing Eric Saubert to recover the ball at the San Francisco 24-yard line. The Seahawks needed six plays to convert the turnover into points. Running back Emanuel Wilson finished the possession with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 7-7.

NBC Sports reported that Darnold had completed 4 of 6 passes for 21 yards and thrown one interception at that stage of the game. His turnover had directly set up San Francisco's opening touchdown, while Seattle's recovery of the muffed punt provided the opportunity to respond. Evans' early scoring contribution followed a strong performance against the Denver Broncos, in which he recorded five receptions for 76 yards despite dealing with a rib injury, according to Sports Illustrated's October 9 report.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch described Evans' determination to play against Seattle while discussing the receiver's recovery and preparation. Lynch recalled telling Evans that the team expected to have him available for the game, only for the receiver to insist that he intended to play. "I remember first time in the locker room going down there – you always want to hear it for yourself – and I said, ‘Mike, good news, we’ll have you for Seattle,’” Lynch recalled on KNBR. “And he said, ‘No, I’m playing this week.’

And he said it in a way like he’s playing this week." Evans joined the 49ers on a three-year contract after leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Sports Illustrated. His performance against Denver and early touchdown against Seattle added to his contributions following the rib injury.