Mac

Jones

That the 49ers couldn’t keep up with the Rams offensively wasn’t a huge surprise — but Jones was just fine, as he was against the Rams on Thursday night a few weeks ago. A fumble, dead zone punt, and turnover on downs ended some key drives early, and Jones finally broke with an interception on a fourth-and-4 go in the fourth quarter. But the 49ers have largely been getting all they could ask for out of Jones. If Brock Purdy isn’t able to go next week — a sentence we have been writing a lot in these blurbs — Jones will be a high-end superflex QB2 against the Cardinals in Week 11.

Technically, Purdy could return today as the 49ers’ backup quarterback. He is listed as questionable for Week 10, but Mac Jones has already been announced as the starter. If he’s ready to play next week, the assumption is that he will be active as the starter. Purdy reaggravated the foot issue once already and the 49ers aren’t taking any chances with his second return to play. Jones’ solid play has also given them more leeway to take their time with Purdy’s recovery. Jones will remain a high-end QB2 for as long as Purdy is stuck on the sidelines.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Thursday that a decision on whether Purdy will “suit up” would be made this afternoon. Apparently, that decision is a “maybe,” though only as the backup, if active. 49ers QB Mac Jones will once again serve as the team’s starter. He profiles as a high-end QB2 against the Rams’ tough defense.

Jones picked apart the Giants’ banged-up secondary in the first half, completing all 14 of his attempts for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 49ers took their foot off the gas in the second half, letting Christian McCaffrey rack up 28 carries with another five going to Brian Robinson. Jones, in turn, completed just five passes in the second half. Jones has done his job filling in for Brock Purdy this year, going 5-2 with 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Purdy could be back from his foot issue next week, sending Jones back to the bench. Superflex managers, however, will want to hold onto Jones until Purdy is confirmed as the starter. If Jones gets another start in Week 10, he will sit in the middle of the QB2 ranks versus the Rams.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Purdy “has got a chance to be available” on Sunday, but QB Mac Jones will start. The fact that Purdy has a chance to be active as a backup on game day gives one the impression that he could return to the lineup in Week 10 against the Rams, though that cannot be viewed as a guarantee, or even likely, at this point. The 49ers are smartly committed to letting their starting quarterback fully heal.

Purdy remains limited while Mac Jones (knee) continues to practice in full. The 49ers have made clear that they will not let Purdy take the field on game day if his toe injury is still an issue. It appears as though Jones will make yet another start this week, this time against the Giants. Jones is a high-end QB2 for the occasion.

Jones suffered a knee contusion during Sunday’s Week 8 loss to the Texans, but he’ll be ready to play. The question is if he’ll start that game with Brock Purdy (toe) potentially being ready to return, but it’s more likely than not that Jones will be under center against the Giants in Week 9.

Jones was willing to take plenty of chances downfield in this one, and after the 49ers bumbled to a first half with just one touchdown, Kyle Shanahan eventually found some concepts to work with in the second half. Jones connected with Jake Tonges on an easy play-action touchdown on the goal line, while George Kittle did the work in a crowd of three for the other score. A late pick trying to complete an 11-point comeback late is not surprising or all that worthy of shame. Jones had an 11.2 aDOT and was able to hunt deep as the 49ers added extra players in protection. If Jones is able to hold the starting job another week, he stumbles into an interesting spot against the Giants that could park him on the upper end of the QB2 line.

Shanahan called it “a reach” for Purdy to play against the Texans in Week 8. Purdy practiced in a limited capacity all of last week and ultimately didn’t suit up for Week 7’s game against the Falcons. Based on Shanahan’s comments Monday, we would assume Purdy will again be a limited participant in practice this week, but Mac Jones will again be the favorite to be under center when the Niners take the field in Week 8 against the Texans.

Almost half of Jones’ 152 yards through the air were accounted for by running back Christian McCaffrey in a game the two teams combined for only 616 yards of total offense, but the veteran journeyman again did enough to will the 49ers to another victory. Jones is now 4-1 as a starter for the 49ers, playing through injury the previous two games while keeping the team tied with the Rams atop the NFC West. The box scores haven’t always looked pretty, but Jones continues to do his job by keeping the team competitive until Brock Purdy’s eventual return under center. It is unclear if he will be tasked with another start in Week 8, but fantasy expectations should be held in check should his number be called against a tough Texans team.