SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Whereas quarterback Brock Purdy slowly works his method again from harm, the San Francisco 49ers will as soon as once more flip to Mac Jones because the starter for Sunday’s NFC West showdown in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams.
For the second consecutive week, Purdy is formally listed as questionable due to the fitting huge toe harm he initially suffered in Week 1 and aggravated in Week 4. Purdy once more was a restricted participant in all three days of apply this week however could not get to some extent the place the Niners are able to plug him again into the beginning lineup.
“It is going to be Mac once more beginning,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated Friday. “We have not determined whether or not to make (Purdy) energetic or not, however he is additional alongside this week than final week.”
Earlier than final week’s sport in opposition to the New York Giants, Shanahan stated there was an opportunity Purdy might be Jones’ backup and even function the emergency third signal-caller behind Jones and Adrian Martinez. That did not occur, and after the sport Shanahan stated Purdy wasn’t all that near being able to go.
This week, Purdy ramped up his apply workload, and although he nonetheless wasn’t a full participant, he did take extra reps with the beginning offense. Whether or not Purdy can serve in any type of backup position Sunday will rely upon how he feels as the sport will get nearer.
If Purdy is not energetic in opposition to the Rams, will probably be the eighth sport he has missed this season. Jones has gone 5-2 in his place, averaging 261.7 passing yards per sport (fourth within the NFL), whereas throwing 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions for a 61.2 QBR.
Jones has performed by way of a number of accidents of his personal, together with a pair of knee points that had him on the harm report till the previous couple of weeks. His resilience has helped win over the Niners locker room.
“That is an enormous purpose why I play, to be sincere, is to get the respect of individuals I belief and folks that I might take an opinion from,” Jones stated. “I attempt to present that on daily basis. I’ve to proceed to try this. It isn’t a one-game factor, so I wish to present it for the entire season. That is my objective.”
Jones will once more be with out large receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has been out since Week 4 with an injured proper knee. Pearsall didn’t apply all week and has been dominated out.
Shanahan stated Friday that Pearsall has been progressing however has but to hit all of the benchmarks required to return. Like many groups, the Niners used GPS monitoring for issues like velocity and distance to find out if a participant is again or near full power.
“He hasn’t been capable of hit his regular speeds that’ll permit him to come back again,” Shanahan stated. “Simply ready till he hits these markers.”
Elsewhere on the harm report, the 49ers continued to take hits of their already banged-up defensive position room. Early in Thursday’s apply, defensive tackles Alfred Collins (hip) and Kalia Davis (ankle) and defensive finish Keion White (groin) suffered accidents that restricted them. The attrition on the defensive position compelled the Niners to decelerate the apply and reduce out some reps simply to get by way of it.
On Friday, Collins didn’t take part, whereas White and Davis had been restricted once more. All three are listed as questionable, with Collins maybe a step behind the opposite two as a result of he was unable to apply. That on a defensive position that has misplaced beginning ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to season-ending ACL accidents and positioned Yetur Gross-Matos on injured reserve with a hamstring difficulty final week.
“It was undoubtedly unlucky,” Shanahan stated. “Glad that each one these guys nonetheless have an opportunity to play on Sunday so hopefully these subsequent 48 hours go effectively. Nevertheless it’s by no means a superb feeling when three go away like that.”
The 49ers did get some excellent news on the harm entrance Friday. Defensive finish Bryce Huff and heart Jake Brendel have recovered from their hamstring accidents and can play in opposition to the Rams.
Guard Ben Bartch, who has been on injured reserve with an ankle ailment, will likely be activated and obtainable in opposition to the Rams as effectively.