The 49ers head to State Farm Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals with Brock Purdy back under center. Purdy was cleared off the injury report and is starting after missing six games with a turf-toe variant. Jay Glazer called him a “full-go” for Week 11, and San Francisco will have its full offensive unit available.
Purdy’s return reunites him with Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Shanahan confirmed Purdy will lead the offense with no reported limitations. The 49ers hope the timing and timing of routes snap back quickly with the franchise QB in charge.
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Mac Jones, who filled in and went 5-3 as a starter, has already drawn trade interest. He completed just under 70% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 TDs and six interceptions in eight starts. Analysts say Jones re-established himself as a starting QB and could be a logical trade target for teams like the New York Jets, Raiders or Saints in the 2026 offseason.
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Greg Olsen on Purdy, pressure and confidence
Former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen weighed in on whether the 49ers should return to Purdy right away. Olsen warned that Purdy has been among the league’s best when healthy in Kyle Shanahan’s system, but he stressed the psychological risk of a poor performance.
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“If he goes in there, he doesn’t perform well, how’s his confidence gonna be going into the back half of the season?” the other analyst asked. “If his confidence gets shot, I mean that could be their problem.”
Greg Olsen was asked if the 49ers should start Brock Purdy over Mac Jones:
“When Brock Purdy has been healthy, playing in that Kyle Shanahan system over the last 3 or 4 years, he’s been amongst the best quarterbacks in the league. You gotta put him back out there.” pic.twitter.com/Ecrcc5toz7
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) November 16, 2025
Olsen’s point is context. Purdy signed a long extension and is the team’s QB1, but coming back after injury can be tricky. The 49ers clearly prefer to lean on Purdy’s accuracy and decision-making. Shanahan’s message has been consistent: when Purdy is available, he starts.
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“Defensively, the injuries, the whole picture of the 49ers is complicated but when Brock Purdy’s been healthy, playing in that Kyle Shanahan system over the last three or four years, he’s been amongst the best quarterbacks in the league, you got to put him back out there,” Olsen said.
Other voices note the roster construction around Purdy. The team invested heavily in him with a reported five-year, $265 million deal. That commitment, plus medical clearances, explains why San Francisco is re-inserting Purdy now. If he plays well, the 49ers regain their usual offensive rhythm. If not, doubts could grow exactly the concern Olsen raised.
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