Poor San Francisco 49ers followers. Coming into the season, they had been wanting ahead to quarterback Brock Purdy throwing landing passes to tight finish George Kittle. As an alternative, they might be watching backup QB Mac Jones lob geese to backup TE Jake Tonges.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan gives main Brock Purdy damage replace
On Wednesday, Shanahan confirmed Purdy might miss “a number of video games” due to left shoulder and toe accidents and is a “lengthy shot” to play in Sunday’s street sport towards the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. ET (Fox). Jones is in line to begin.
Purdy’s damage is one other huge blow for a 49ers offense that is already been ravaged by accidents. On Tuesday, San Francisco positioned six-time Professional Bowler Kittle (hamstring) on injured reserve, that means he’ll miss at the least the subsequent 4 video games. Star WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee), in the meantime, is not anticipated to return till Week 6.
With out elite weapons, Jones, a former New England Patriots bust, might proceed to flounder. Final season, Jones began seven video games for the Jacksonville Jaguars rather than an injured Trevor Lawrence and appeared terrible. He went 2-5, throwing the identical variety of interceptions and landing passes (eight). He additionally posted a below-average 36.6 QBR.
Jones might produce barely higher numbers in a system that fits his taking part in model and with a coach who believes in him. In August 2022, Shanahan admitted the Niners nearly took him as a substitute of QB Trey Lance, one other bust, with decide No. 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Nonetheless, Jones represents an enormous downgrade from Purdy, who guided the 49ers to Tremendous Bowl LVIII through the 2023 season. Final season, the Iowa State product ranked tenth within the NFL in passing yards (3,864 in 15 video games) and seventh in QBR (64.8).
Purdy threw two interceptions in a 17-13 Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks however tossed a clutch TD move to Tonges late within the fourth quarter and posted a stellar 80.3 QBR.
The 49ers higher hope Purdy’s damage will not pressure him to overlook a number of video games. If it does, their protection — which held Seattle to 230 yards in Week 1 — should proceed to step up. The staff cannot belief its injury-riddled offense, particularly if Jones is on the helm.
