49ers Confirm Purdy’s Absence; Mac Jones Set to Start Against Saints

The San Francisco 49ers will be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy for their upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday, following confirmation from head coach Kyle Shanahan. Veteran quarterback Mac Jones will take the reins as Purdy continues to recover from injuries sustained during last week’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Purdy has been sidelined all week due to left shoulder and toe injuries, with Shanahan noting that the toe issue, resembling turf toe, poses a significant concern and could keep him out for several weeks. John Lynch, general manager of the 49ers, indicated that Purdy’s status is being evaluated on a “week to week” basis.

With Purdy unavailable, Jones has taken all the practice snaps with the starting offense throughout the week. This will mark his first start for the 49ers since signing a two-year, $7 million contract in March. “Mac’s been awesome,” Shanahan commented, adding, “Our team really believes in him.”

Jones, who was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, has faced challenges in his career, including starting seven games for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, where he threw for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions and recorded a career-low QBR of 36.6. Following a promising rookie season with a QBR of 56.9, he struggled in subsequent years, leading to his trade.

Upon joining the 49ers, Jones expressed his desire to rejuvenate his career within Shanahan’s system. Teammates and coaches have praised his offseason and training camp performance, despite a minor knee sprain during the preseason. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak remarked, “Mac’s been really impressive… He bought in from day one and you’ve seen the growth.”

In light of Purdy’s absence, the 49ers plan to elevate practice squad quarterback Adrian Martinez to the active roster as Jones’ backup. Martinez, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, has yet to appear in an official game but has experience from time spent with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. “I’m a big fan of Adrian’s,” said Robert Saleh, the 49ers defensive coordinator and former Jets head coach. “He’s got a live arm, he’s athletic… he’s a good player.”

The challenge for Jones and potentially Martinez is compounded by injuries affecting other key players on the roster. Tight end George Kittle has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) and left tackle Trent Williams (knee) are questionable after missing practice earlier in the week.

Regarding Purdy’s potential return, Lynch provided insights on his recovery process. “Brock is doing well,” he stated. “He’s doing a nice job, doing everything he can to get back out there as soon as possible.” As the 49ers prepare for their matchup against the Saints, the absence of their starting quarterback certainly presents new challenges, both strategically and for team morale.