Jones starting for 49ers vs Falcons; Purdy still out due to injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers will welcome tight end George Kittle back from his hamstring injury on Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons, but quarterback Brock Purdy’s return from a toe ailment will have to wait at least another week. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan ruled out Purdy on Friday. Also absent against the Falcons will be receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee), linebacker Fred Warner (ankle), and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring). This comes after Purdy returned to practice this week for the first time since aggravating the injury in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Purdy was limited in all three practices, but did not progress enough to return to the starting lineup, leaving Mac Jones to make his fifth start of the season with Adrian Martinez as the backup.

[Purdy] was able to go out and throw more. I thought it was definitely a step further than last week, so he’s going in the right direction.

Shanahan

Jones has performed well in place of Purdy, averaging what would be the most passing yards per game in the league, with 313 in his four starts, along with six touchdowns and three interceptions for a QBR of 53.0. While Purdy recovers from the toe injury, Jones has also been dealing with health issues. He was questionable last week due to knee and oblique pain, but he fully participated in Thursday and Friday’s practices and is ready to play against Atlanta. Shanahan said on Friday that when Purdy is healthy, he will return to the starting lineup, although the team has previously considered having him available as an emergency backup before he returns to 100 percent. If Brock is able to play, I imagine him as the starter. We will always do what’s best for him and for the team, depending on what the situation is that week. Meanwhile, Kittle progressed enough to be included as a full participant in Friday’s practice and has no injury designation for the game. That clears the way for him to return after missing the last five games on the injured list with what is described as a tear (but not detachment from the bone) in the hamstring. Shanahan added that Kittle, who said on Thursday that he “totally” plans to play against the Falcons, will not only be active but should have no limitations on his participation level.

George has rehabilitated very well. He returned 100 percent and had a good week of training, so we will distribute him throughout the game, but with no pitch count.

Shanahan

The Niners also plan to activate defensive tackle Kevin Givens from the injured list and Shanahan said he will “very likely” play against the Falcons. For Kittle and Givens to return, the 49ers must make the corresponding moves on the roster. San Francisco cleared one of those spots on Friday when it placed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the injured list with a calf injury. The 49ers are expected to do the same with Warner, who underwent surgery for his dislocated and fractured ankle on Tuesday. Those roster moves are expected to occur on Saturday afternoon. In other injury news, the 49ers have some uncertainty at cornerback with Renardo Green (neck) and rookie Upton Stout (ankle) questionable. They are two of the team’s top three cornerbacks, and the Niners will have to improvise alongside starter Deommodore Lenoir with Darrell Luter Jr. as Green’s possible replacement and Chase Lucas for Stout if either or both can’t play.