Golden Nuggets: “Should” is the operative word for Mac Jones

Golden Nuggets: “Should” is the operative word for Mac Jones
Niners Nation Niners Nation

49ers quarterback Mac Jones limited in practice Thursday
“”Really trying to rest it up,” Shanahan said. “Should be good to go on Sunday but definitely wasn’t good enough to go today. So, hopefully that will continue to improve.”

Robert Saleh, Klay Kubiak, Mac Jones preview 49ers-Buccaneers Week 6 matchup
“Here’s everything they said.”

49ers’ Eddy Piñeiro reached out to Jake Moody. Is good karma fueling his great start? (paywall)
“unter and holder Thomas Morstead, 39, has been struck by Piñeiro’s unique blend of calm and intensity before kicks. Morstead and Piñeiro lock eyes moments before the ball is snapped and the kicker, Morstead said, always has a locked-in, “bug-eyed” look.

“I think Eddy is one of a kind,” said Morstead, a 17-year veteran. “I think the gift that he has is that he’s present. He doesn’t seem to be thinking about anything when he’s out there. He’s not worried about the result or thinking about the past result. I think he likes the spotlight. He’s ready for the moment.”

What I’m seeing from the 49ers: What they lack in star power, they’ve made up for in grit (paywall)
“The current squad bears at least some similarities to the 2011 49ers, which also began the season with a win over the Seattle Seahawks on the way to a 4-1 start. Like the current squad, some of those early wins weren’t pretty. A 13-8 win over the Bengals, for instance, featured one touchdown and was so unappealing it was blacked out in Cincinnati.

Also like the 2025 squad, the 2011 team was largely revamped — including a new, Jim Harbaugh-led coaching staff — and relied on a few veterans like Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Joe Staley, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis to guide the newcomers early.

A striking similarity (literally): Both teams earned a dramatic, early-season road win over a strong NFC opponent in large part due to a fourth-quarter forced fumble by an interior defensive lineman.“

49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings returns to practice; QB Mac Jones limited
“He was seen before practice going through running and conditioning on a side field under the direction of Mike Sola, the 49ers’ director of reconditioning.

“He’s working hard to try to get back, but I think he wants to get back at full strength,” Lynch said of Purdy. “And Mac probably allows that even more so, because we’re winning games while he’s getting healthy.

“He’s doing a lot of things, trying to build up his strength and get that thing in a good spot. So I think he’ll continue to do that. And when he’s ready, he’ll be ready.”

Kawakami: How the 49ers can prove they’re good enough for a full-tilt playoff run (paywall)
“Why not see if the young players and other backups can keep this magic run going and let the key guys heal for another week or two?

And secondly, Shanahan’s realism is assuredly influencing and signaling the 49ers’ approach to the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

I asked him: Does...