The San Francisco 49ers' massive rash of injuries fortunately hasn't beset head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad too much early in in 2025.
At 2-0, the Niners have navigated losses to key players, including quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), among others. And yet Shanahan and Co. have managed to pull off two road wins to begin the season.
Still, the injury bug hasn't exactly let up, and San Francisco will be without one of its best offensive weapons for its Week 3 home opener against its NFC West rivals, the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals.
Purdy was all but ruled out for the game by Shanahan on Friday, which means No. 2 quarterback Mac Jones will get the start after impressing last week against the New Orleans Saints.
But, one of Jones' preferred targets from that game, wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder), won't be suiting up at home against the red birds.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early on Sunday both Purdy and Jennings were going to miss the game, and the 49ers' Week 3 inactive list confirmed as much with "Third and Jauan" officially out of the lineup because of his injury:
Sources: 49ers WR Jauan Jennings, listed as questionable for today’s game vs. the Cardinals due to shoulder and ankle injuries, will not play and will be out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2025
49ers QB Brock Purdy also will be out due to his toe injury. Adrian Martinez will back up starting QB Mac Jones. pic.twitter.com/cW2U4deH3L
49ers inactives for Week 3 vs. Cardinals
- RB Jordan James
- DL Jordan Jefferson
- WR Jauan Jennings
- LB Nick Martin
- QB Brock Purdy
- WR Jordan Watkins
Jennings, Purdy and Watkins (calf) are all dealing with injuries, but the former two are expected to return soon. The rookie wide receiver, however, might potentially wind up on injured reserve because of his injury.
Meanwhile, Jones will have to deal without his favorite target from Week 2 in Jennings, meaning a heavier reliance on second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and the relatively recently arrived Kendrick Bourne, who had a Jennings-like reputation in the Bay Area from 2017 through 2020 before playing alongside Jones with the New England Patriots beginning in 2021.
So far, at least, Niners have managed to survive the plethora of injuries to key players.
They'll look to do so again in Week 3 against the Cardinals when both teams kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.