A potentially troublesome situation is brewing under center for San Francisco.
Brock Purdy has been declared out for the 49ers’ game Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while backup Mac Jones is questionable.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan was optimistic Friday that Jones should be able to play.
“Pretty much already have, but you’ve got to put it that way if there's any doubt at all," Shanahan said when asked when he'd make a determination as to whether or not Jones could suit up, per team transcript. "So pretty much already have.”
Should Jones be unable to go, Adrian Martinez would start for San Francisco.
Jones was limited throughout the week in practice with knee and oblique injuries after soldiering through a Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams. That was Jones’ third start this season for the 49ers in relief of Purdy, who aggravated a toe injury that’s kept him out of Weeks 2, 3, 5 and now 6. Purdy didn’t practice at all this week.
Since Purdy became San Francisco’s starter in Week 14 of the 2022 season, the 49ers are 3-3 without him. All three of those victories have come this season via Jones.
As Purdy is set to miss another game, the team's biggest focus now shifts to Jones' availability.
On Thursday, he wasn’t able to throw the ball at practice despite being listed as limited. The 49ers operated in more of a walkthrough setting Friday, per Shanahan, who said Jones was "a lot better."
Through three games this year, Jones has completed 66.7% of his passes for 905 yards, six touchdown passes and just one interception as he’s piloted the 49ers to first place amid a bit of a career renaissance.
Martinez, 25, has never played an NFL snap. He's spent time with the Detroit Lions, New York Jets and signed with the 49ers practice squad this summer. That signing came after he led the Birmingham Stallions to the UFL championship and earned the league's most valuable player. He'll be set to back up Jones again -- or start should the the fifth-year QB's questionable designation lead to being unexpectedly inactive.
The NFC West’s first-place 49ers (4-1) face the NFC South’s first-place Buccaneers (4-1) at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.