A day after 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan called Brock Purdy a “long shot” to play in Week 2, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested the star quarterback’s absence could stretch well beyond that.
Rapoport reported Thursday, citing sources, that Purdy is expected to miss anywhere from two to five weeks with a variant of turf toe.
That puts Mac Jones in line to start Sunday against the Saints in New Orleans (1 p.m. ET).
“My understanding is that Brock Purdy is out two to five weeks,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football.” “Two to five weeks for Brock Purdy with what is essentially a turf toe. It is a ligament injury that affects the bottom of his foot. That would put him out for at least the Saints game this week, the Cardinals game next week, and then we’ll see. If it’s swollen, irritated, no one knows how it’s going to react.
But certainly, it seems like the 49ers are looking at probably two starts for Mac Jones, their backup quarterback, and maybe more. It’s been tough for the 49ers early on.
Purdy Led Comeback in Week 1
Purdy played through injuries to his toe and left non-throwing shoulder in San Francisco’s Week 1 win over Seattle. His 4-yard touchdown pass to Jake Tonges with 1:34 left capped a game-winning seven-play, 68-yard drive.
He finished 26-for-35 with 277 yards through the air to go with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
After Purdy missed practice Wednesday, Shanahan cast doubt on his availability for Week 2, while adding that it could be a multi-week injury.
Theoretically, the 49ers could place Purdy on injured reserve, which would sideline him for a minimum of four weeks. But they’ve yet to go that route.
49ers Confident in Jones’ Ability to Start
The 49ers signed Jones to a two-year, $7 million free-agent deal in March. The 2021 first-round pick spent last season with the Jaguars after being traded by the Patriots.
Shanahan expressed confidence in his Jones’ ability to handle the reins with Purdy out.
“Mac knows how to play the position,” Shanahan said, via the Associated Press. “He can play well in the pocket, distributes the ball well, sees coverages well, can play fast in there. He’s got a lot of good film from the NFL with his experience and obviously college. Tough guy who’ll hang in there and deliver the ball where it needs to go.”
The 49ers will also be without tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who is on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
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