Thursday Night Football delivered more than just gridiron action. Mac Jones limped off the field after aggravating his sprained left PCL during the 49ers-Rams matchup.
Fans React to Mac Jones Caught Chewing Something Too Sweet on the Sideline
Fans React to Mac Jones Caught Chewing Something Too Sweet on the Sideline (Screenshot Via X/@GameInjuryDoc)
But what happened next in the 49ers vs Rams game caught everyone’s attention. Cameras caught the backup-turned-starter munching on Sour Patch Kids candy while getting treatment on the sideline.
Fans React to Mac Jones Caught Chewing Something Too Sweet on the Sideline
His candy-eating moment has since turned viral online. The majority of fans couldn’t believe their eyes. Here’s a quarterback dealing with a knee issue, and he’s downing sour candy between drives, which is actually popular among the kids.
The tweet that started it all was simple but effective. “Not Mac Jones eating SOUR PATCH candy after limping off the field 😂,” one fan posted. The clip spread like wildfire across X, with reactions, memes, and hot takes about Jones’ snack choice. Some laughed it off.
Not Mac Jones eating SOUR PATCH candy after limping off the field 😂 pic.twitter.com/y0EH0VwUQD
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) October 3, 2025
One fan didn’t hold back,penning, “Yuck! That Candy Tastes Way Too Bad. It Is Just Sugar in Disguise.”
Fair point for anyone who avoids sweets. Sour Patch Kids pack a punch with their sugar content. The coating hits your taste buds with citric acid first, then floods your mouth with sweetness. Not everyone’s cup of tea or candy, in this case.
But plenty of fans defended Jones’ snack choice, with onewriting, “Those are so good.” Sour Patch Kids have a cult following because the sour-then-sweet combo keeps folks coming back.
However, the whole scene felt absolutely surreal. Jones had been wearing a knee brace and limping on previous drives before taking a massive hit from Rams defensive end Byron Young. Then there he was, chilling on the bench, candy in hand. The side-by-side view was comedy gold for social media.
49ers’ Injury Scare Opens Door for Mac Jones vs. Rams
Jones started Thursday’s game becauseBrock Purdy was ruled out with a toe injury.He’d been dealing with a sprained left PCL entering the game, even wearing a brace on his left knee.
A scary moment came in the third quarter. Young delivered a crushing blow that left Jones clutching his knee on the turf. Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay thought officials missed a roughing the passer call.
Mac Jones injury – not seeing a drastic mechanism here but he did have a prior PCL sprain so re-aggravation risk is drastically increased
Suspect he attempts return#49ers pic.twitter.com/cGfvwBm5Vy
— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) October 3, 2025
But the tough signal-caller bounced back. During the break, sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung revealed trainers worked on Jones’ left calf with a massage gun, suggesting cramps rather than serious knee damage. The fluids and electrolytes helped. He didn’t require any formal knee evaluation later.
Jones returned for the next drive and finished strong, completing 20 of 30 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers built a commanding lead. Jones improved to 3-0 as a starter this season with Purdy out with injury. Not bad for a guy who was snacking on Sour Patch Kids between possessions.