According to San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, who spoke to KNBR 680 on Thursday morning, quarterback Brock Purdy is awfully close to returning from the turf-toe injury that held him out of the Niners' previous two games.
"I can tell you he practiced yesterday, and he was at a better place on Wednesday than he was on Sunday," Lynch said of Purdy, leaving the door open for the quarterback to return from his injury this weekend.
San Francisco might want to consider making it a three-game absence for its franchise signal-caller.
The 49ers host the 2-1 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, and while there are no guarantees on any schedule, let's not pretend the Jags are one of the more formidable opponents the Niners face on an otherwise "easy" slate of games this season.
In Purdy's absence, San Francisco has gotten surprisingly effective play from backup quarterback Mac Jones, who has kickstarted a resurgence in his otherwise floundering career that also included a 2024 stop in Jacksonville. While a grudge match against his former employer would be fitting, a Jones-versus-Jags episode isn't the only reason why letting Purdy rest one more week would be a good idea.
49ers should give Brock Purdy 1 more week of rest
It'd be one thing if Purdy is 100 percent by the time Sunday's game rolls around. But, if there are any doubts or increased setback risks, giving Jones one more start would be the wiser play.
Simply because the 49ers will end Week 4's tilt on a short week in anticipation for a high-stakes NFC West road showdown against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
Fortunately, the Niners only have a one-hour flight to take to the road, and the crowd at SoFI Stadium figures to be wearing more red than blue, benefiting Purdy and Co. However, considering L.A. is arguably the biggest threat to San Francisco seizing the division title this season, and the short-week nature of the Week 5 bout, ensuring Purdy is fully recovered might be the smarter play.
Again, if Purdy is 100 percent for this Sunday's contest against Jacksonville and has no risk of reaggravating his toe, there shouldn't be any question about him getting the start over Jones.
On the flip side, though, the short week between playing the Jaguars and Rams should provoke the 49ers to think carefully about giving Jones one more start, provided Purdy isn't quite there yet.
The Niners and Jags kick off on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4:05 p.m. ET.