Even Brock Purdy isn't sure whether or not he'll be the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback when they host the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals for a Week 3 NFC West home opener on Sunday.
Purdy, who suffered a turf-toe injury during the Niners' Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks that forced him to miss the following week's showdown against the New Orleans Saints, managed to return to practice ahead of Sunday's divisional tilt, albeit in limited fashion. And that opened up a door to him potentially starting against his boyhood team.
But it might not happen. Even Purdy doesn't know just yet.
"Obviously, I want to play every game," Purdy told reporters following Thursday's practice. "I want to be out there. We only get 17 regular season games, and every game matters, especially a divisional, going against Cardinals. So, if you ask me, I’d love to, but I mean, I’m trying to be smart with my body here, but you never know. We’ll see when the game comes."
Even San Francisco might not be sure yet either. Typically, only the scheduled starter speaks to the media on Thursday ahead of gameday, yet both Purdy and backup quarterback Mac Jones talked with reporters.
The 49ers may go with an unorthodox scenario here, starting Jones again after he impressed against NOLA, while letting backup Adrian Martinez serve as QB2 on the active gameday roster. Purdy could, at least according to NFL rules, be inactive but declared the emergency third-string quarterback, should both Jones and Martinez succumb to injuries in-game.
That's just hypothetical, though, and it's a particular scenario that wouldn't be revealed until inactives are announced 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
Brock Purdy not the only big name to watch on 49ers' Week 3 injury report
The Niners are still banged up, and there are some recognizable names on head coach Kyle Shanahan's final injury report ahead of the Arizona game:
Out
- OL Spencer Burford (knee)
- WR Jordan Watkins (calf)
Questionable
- QB Brock Purdy (toe)
- WR Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder)
- OL Connor Colby (groin)
Kyle Shanahan Provides Final Updates Before Week 3 vs. Cardinals https://t.co/AYqMSNw56k
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 19, 2025
Shanahan hinted it'd be unlikely Purdy starts, but even that would be a gametime decision.
Jennings' potential absence is concerning, as he played a pivotal role in helping Jones get beyond New Orleans' defense last week, leading all San Francisco receivers with 89 yards on five catches and a touchdown.
With tight end George Kittle (hamstring) still on injured reserve, Jennings has been one of the primary go-tos for both Purdy and Jones, so getting the big-bodied receiver back in the mix is crucial, especially with the Cardinals dealing with their own shortages within the defensive backfield.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, meanwhile, had to clear the concussion protocol before returning, but being limited in practice this week and no longer in a blue non-contact jersey on Friday were signs he'll be participating.
For Purdy, though, the gametime decision couldn't be murkier.
The 49ers and Cardinals kick off on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.