The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to take on the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, and the big question on everyone’s mind was whether starter Brock Purdy would be ready to return from his toe injury. Well, we got our answer on Friday when head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with ESPN. It’s looking “highly unlikely” that Purdy will start, which means Mac Jones will get the nod once again.
Purdy’s been dealing with that toe injury since the opening game against the Seattle Seahawks, and he missed last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints. The good news is that he’s been making progress in practice, but not enough to get him back on the field just yet. Shanahan said they’re looking at him as a possible backup or emergency option, but that’s about it for now.
So, what does this mean for the Cardinals? Not a whole lot, to be honest. Jones filled in nicely for Purdy last week, tossing three touchdowns and racking up 279 yards against the Saints. Yeah, the Saints’ defense is middle of the pack against the pass, but Jones still showed he’s got the skills to get the job done. He’s no stranger to big games, either – the guy was the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Patriots.
One thing to watch out for is the Cardinals’ pass rush. If they can bring the heat, Jones might struggle. He’s the type of quarterback who likes to take his time and survey the field, so if he’s getting flushed out of the pocket, he’ll have to make quicker decisions. And let’s be real, that’s not always his strong suit.
The 49ers are dealing with some other injuries, too. Left guard Ben Bartch is out with an ankle issue, and rookie Connor Colby will fill in for him. Backup left tackle Spencer Burford is done for the game with a knee injury, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings is nursing an ankle problem of his own. But hey, at least they’ve got Jones, who’s proven he can dink and dunk his way down the field all day long. He’s not the most flashy quarterback, but he’s got the smarts and the experience to get the job done.
Shanahan had some nice things to say about Purdy’s work ethic, too. The guy’s a total gamer, but he’s also realistic about his chances of playing. As Shanahan put it, Purdy “doesn’t just talk with his heart, he works with his heart but he talks with his mind” – meaning he knows when to push himself and when to hold back.
All in all, it’s looking like Jones will be the man for the 49ers this weekend. And you know what? That’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’s a solid quarterback who can get the job done, even if he’s not the most exciting player to watch. So, Cardinals fans, don’t get too comfortable thinking you’ve got an easy win ahead of you. The 49ers are still a force to be reckoned with, even with Jones at the helm.
