San Francisco earned a thrilling Week 5 ‘Thursday Night Football’ win over the Los Angeles Rams behind a career night from backup quarterback Mac Jones.
The 49ers and their fans have to hope he’s able to go at least one more time.
Starting quarterback Brock Purdy will not play the 49ers’ Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per multiple reports. The 49ers’ franchise quarterback is still sidelined with a toe injury first suffered in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Jones is dealing with oblique and knee injuries as well and is questionable for the team’s Week 6 road game.
Jones has gone undefeated as a starter for San Francisco this season with wins over the Saints, Cardinals and Rams. His efforts have helped the 49ers keep atop the NFC West standings at 4-1 despite injuries on both sides of the ball.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was also ruled out for Sunday’s game. With the team still waiting for tight end George Kittle’s return from injured reserve, San Francisco has relied on veterans like Kendrick Bourne to pick up the slack.
San Francisco still hasn’t placed Purdy on IR, which would require that he be out for at least four weeks. That could be a good sign he’ll be back in the lineup sooner than later after a one-off in Week 4 against Jacksonville.
49ers QB depth chart
Brock Purdy (injured)
Mac Jones
Adrian Martinez (practice squad)
Jones’ questionable status means there is a chance Martinez makes his 49ers debut Sunday in Tampa. The former undrafted free agent quarterback won MVP honors in the United Football League (UFL) in 2024 for the Birmingham Stallions. He was cut from the New York Jets’ practice squad at the end of training camp and signed with the 49ers in late August.
