Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are already dealing with injury problems just one week into the 2025 NFL season. On September 9,the team placed tight end George Kittle on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, quarterback Brock Purdy is also nursing multiple injuries. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy has problems with his left shoulder and toe, noting that the toe is the bigger concern,according to ESPN.
As a result, his status for the Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints looks doubtful. If Purdy cannot go, San Francisco will turn to former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.
During an appearance on 95.7 The Game, NFL analyst Greg Cosell believes Jones can get the job done.
“I think in many ways he’s stylistically similar to Purdy, except he’s not as good an athlete,”Cosell said on the September 10 edition of “Willard & Dibs.” “But when you put him in the context of this offense—and that’s all we can do, because that’s what he’s going to be doing—he’s a timing and rhythm player who can execute the kinds of throws asked in this offense.”
Does Kyle Shanahan Have Confidence in 49ers QB Mac Jones?
Cosell believes Jones is more than capable of stepping in for Purdy and doesn’t suggest the Alabama product has any issues. Given that Shanahan had his eye on Jones coming out of college, the 49ers coach will likely back his QB2, especially since the 27-year-old plays the way he wants.
“He obviously played last year and had some ups and some downs, which was to be expected,” Cosell added. “He was in a pretty dysfunctional situation. So I’m not going to sit here and tell you he’s going to come out and be unbelievable and, wow, it’s special.
“But the way in which he plays — and I think everybody was probably well aware when he came out in the draft — that it seemed that Kyle liked him because it’s that style. He’s a timing, rhythm player who gets the ball out, and that fits what Kyle wants.”
49ers Teammates Back Mac Jones
Shanahan said Wednesday that Brock Purdy is unlikely to play in San Francisco’s game Sunday against New Orleans, calling his chances “a long shot.” Purdy’s toe injury is the more concerning of the two issues he’s dealing with, and the combination was enough to sideline the quarterback from Wednesday’s practice.
Despite potentially not having Purdy under center, 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa is giving full confidence that Jones can get the job done and get the team to a 2-0 record.
“I like Mac a lot,” Bosa said on September 10 (h/tESPN). “Getting to know him this camp, and I think he’s really popped on tape throughout camp. If Mac does start, I think it’s a little more advantageous for him being earlier in the year since he’s gotten some real reps recently, and he’s not 10 weeks into the season taking only scout team [snaps], getting pinballed around by the D-line and scout team. I think that’s a bright side.”