The injury situation surrounding Brock Purdy has raised significant concerns within the San Francisco 49ers organization. With Purdy battling shoulder and toe injuries, the team is exploring options to bring in another quarterback. Despite their desire to bolster their quarterback depth, the 49ers currently find themselves with only two healthy signal-callers on the roster.
During a press conference on Wednesday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his concerns regarding Purdy's condition, stating that the quarterback is considered a “long shot” to play this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Shanahan further noted that Purdy's injuries could potentially sideline him for multiple weeks. “We’d love to have three guys in the building ready to go,” Shanahan told reporters, highlighting the team's urgency to address the situation. However, he acknowledged that roster issues are preventing the immediate addition of a quarterback.
In light of their current quarterback predicament, the 49ers conducted a workout with former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins quarterback Mike White on Wednesday, according to reports from NFL.com. This move indicates the team’s proactive approach to ensuring they have adequate coverage at the quarterback position. Nonetheless, the immediate options remain limited.
As it stands, the 49ers will rely on Mac Jones, the former Patriots quarterback, as their starter. Jones, 27, joined the 49ers after spending last season as a backup to Trevor Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He appeared in 10 games, starting seven, and finished the 2024 season with 1,672 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Originally drafted as the No. 15 overall pick in 2021, Jones had a promising start in New England, earning a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie with 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. However, his career trajectory shifted dramatically, leading to his trade from the Patriots.
Behind Jones, the 49ers have Adrian Martinez, whom they signed to their practice squad in late August after he was waived by the Jets. At just 25 years old, Martinez has yet to make an appearance in an NFL game, leaving the 49ers with limited experience on the bench. Additionally, seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke is currently on the non-football injury list as he recovers from a torn ACL, and he is expected to miss the entire 2025 season.
The 49ers' quarterback situation is fluid as they navigate injuries and roster limitations. With Brock Purdy's status uncertain, the team is actively seeking to reinforce their quarterback room to maintain competitiveness in the upcoming games. As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the 49ers respond.
