Revenge of the Birds
There was speculation of whether backup San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones would get another start this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals or if starter Brock Purdy would he ready to take the field instead. On Friday, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan ended the questions when he spoke with ESPN.
Shanahan stated:
“I think it’s highly unlikely that (Purdy) will start. We’re just trying to see where he’s at to see if he can be a [No.] 2 or an emergency [No.] 3.”
Purdy has been nursing a toe injury he suffered in the opening game against the Seattle Seahawks, and missed last week’s game in the win over the New Orleans Saints. This Sunday’s matchup with Arizona is a key divisional game with both clubs sitting at 2-0-0.
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Jones, filling in for Purdy for a second game in a row, is not a huge disadvantage for the Cardinals. Last week in the 26-21 win over the Saints, Jones tossed three touchdowns amid his 279 yards, so he still has the juice to get it done. The Saints’ defense is ranked middle of the pack against the pass, so it’s not like they are horrid in passing downs.
Officially, Purdy is listed as questionable. He has been a limited participant in practice sessions this week, and Shanahan explained he has progressed, just not enough to play in live action, where grown-ass men are trying to assault him legally. Although Jones has been named the starter, it remains unclear if Purdy will suit up in a backup role. San Fran only has two signalcallers on their active roster, so it is a certainty that Adrian Martinez will be brought up from the practice squad. Martinez was named to the 2024 All-UFL team and helped the Birmingham Stallions capture the UFL championship that season.
Jones was also sacked three times in the New Orleans game and threw five passes out of bounds to avoid other potential sacks.
Although named the backup behind Purdy to begin the season, Jones is no slouch. He was the 15th player off the board in the 2021 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and made the NFL All-Rookie Team, plus the Pro Bowl as a rookie, as he passed for 3,801 yards with 22 TDs with just 13 picks. The 49ers are his third NFL club, but he has played in 53 NFL games with 10,869 career passing yards.
Jones can make the short to intermediate plays all game long. He has some issues with accuracy with the long balls, but can dink and dunk a team to death. He learned this from being the starter for the University of Alabama where he earned two National Championships.
The Niners’ offensive line also has a new guy in place as left guard Ben Bartch has an ankle issue and will be replaced by rookie Connor Colby. Colby was taken in the seventh round out of...
