49ers Prepare Without Purdy for Saints Matchup
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, with the news that their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, will not be available. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Friday that Purdy will not play in New Orleans. Mac Jones will take his place as the starter. Purdy did not participate in the week’s practices due to injuries to his left shoulder and toe, sustained in last week’s victory against the Seattle Seahawks. Shanahan indicated that the toe injury, similar to “turf toe”, is the biggest concern and could keep Purdy out for several weeks. Niners general manager John Lynch reported that Purdy’s situation is being evaluated “week to week”. With Purdy absent, Jones led the starting offense during Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday practices. He will make his debut as a starter with the 49ers after signing a two-year, $7 million contract in March.Jones, selected in the 15th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, played seven games with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, throwing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a QBR of 36.6, the lowest of his career. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Jones expressed his intention to seize the opportunity to be Purdy’s backup in order to revitalize his career in Shanahan’s offense. According to the staff and coaches, Jones had a solid preseason and training camp before a mild knee sprain in the second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.“Mac has been incredible,” Shanahan said. “Our team really believes in him.”
Kyle Shanahan
“Mac has been really impressive since he arrived, by the way he has opened up to instructions and to learn what we do here and how we train quarterbacks,” said offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. “He got involved from day one and the growth has been seen.”
Klay Kubiak
In the absence of Purdy, the 49ers plan to promote practice squad quarterback Adrian Martinez to the active roster to be Jones’ backup. Martinez came to the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent time with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets in the last two years.
Martinez has not played in an NFL game, but he was promoted from the Jets’ practice squad to be a substitute against the Minnesota Vikings last year. The situation is getting complicated for Jones and, potentially, Martinez, due to other injuries in the Niners’ roster. Tight end George Kittle was placed on the reserve list due to a hamstring injury earlier in the week, while receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) and left tackle Trent Williams (knee) are doubtful to play after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Regarding Purdy’s possible return, Lynch clarified that the San Francisco starting quarterback could be out for an indefinite period. “Brock is doing well,” Lynch said. “He’s doing a good job, doing everything he can to get back as soon as possible… But that’s where we are, week to week.”
