Purdy ready to lead 49ers vs Jaguars: ¡QB is back!

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers will welcome back their quarterback, Brock Purdy, in the starting lineup for the matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Purdy, who missed the previous two games due to a toe injury, participated in practice for all three days this week and has no injury designation for Sunday, allowing him to return to his starting role against the Jaguars. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Friday afternoon that Purdy will be the starter.

He looked good. He was able to do much more than last week and improved a lot every day.

Shanahan

During most of the week, all signs pointed to Purdy being able to play against the Jaguars. He was limited in Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, but improved to be a full participant on Friday. Before the Week 3 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, Purdy was limited in practice, but didn’t do much during those sessions. Purdy spoke to the media before that game, was cautious and made it clear that it would be more of a last-minute decision. However, on Thursday he adopted a decidedly different tone, expressing that his toe had progressed remarkably since last week and that he was doing more in training than the previous week.

I really like where I am with the healing progress and feeling better and getting back, throwing. It’s no secret, it’s been about two and a half weeks or so. And overall, my toe is healed. It has improved.

Purdy

Although the Niners considered making Purdy available as a backup last week, they ultimately decided against it, partly out of fear that he could worsen the injury if he played before being fully healthy. After the Niners saw Purdy be close to being available but then be out of that game, they believed he was on the right track to return.

The fact that we even considered him as an emergency player last week, only talking to him on Monday and Tuesday, he wasn’t a hundred percent on Wednesday or Thursday, but you could tell he was heading in that direction. As long as he woke up feeling good today, we expected him.

Shanahan

Purdy’s return to the starting lineup comes at a good time, given that Mac Jones, who replaced Purdy and led the 49ers to victory in the last two games, is dealing with a left knee injury. Against Arizona, Jones aggravated the knee sprain he suffered in the preseason. Although Jones was able to play with that injury to finish the game against the Cardinals, he has also been limited in training this week. Jones is officially questionable against Jacksonville, the team he left to sign with the 49ers as a free agent in March. For his part, Jones said his expectation is that he will be available to play any role the Niners need him to against the Jaguars.

I feel good. Like any other week, you’re going through the week, preparing for the game plans as a substitute or starter. So I feel comfortable doing both. I’ll be ready to play.

Jones

In other injury news, the status of wide receiver Jauan Jennings is up in the air this week. Jennings did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but was limited on Friday due to ankle and shoulder injuries. He is questionable. Cornerback Renardo Green (neck), guard Connor Colby (groin) and receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) are also questionable. Green was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but did not participate on Friday, and Pearsall did not practice on Wednesday, but was limited the last two days. Pearsall said he expects to play against the Jaguars and was just dealing with knee pain. Defensive tackle CJ West (thumb) and rookie Jordan Watkins (calf) have been ruled out.