49ers Face Buccaneers Without Purdy and Pearsall, Mac Jones Ready to Step Up
The San Francisco 49ers will be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy continues to deal with a troublesome toe injury that has plagued him since the season opener against Seattle, while Pearsall is sidelined with a knee issue. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that backup quarterback Mac Jones, despite being listed as questionable with an oblique injury suffered in last week’s overtime victory against the Rams, is expected to take the reins for the 49ers. Jones was limited in practice throughout the week but appears ready to continue his surprising success as San Francisco’s fill-in signal-caller.
The absence of Purdy marks a concerning trend for the young quarterback who signed a massive five-year, $265 million extension in the offseason. The 25-year-old will now miss his sixth game in the 49ers’ last 13 contests dating back to last season. After initially injuring his toe in Week 1, Purdy missed two games before returning against Jacksonville in Week 4, only to reaggravate the injury. This setback continues to delay the 49ers’ plans to build momentum with their franchise quarterback, who has shown tremendous promise when healthy but has struggled with availability in recent months.
Despite Purdy’s absence, the 49ers have found an unexpected gem in Mac Jones, who has led the team to a perfect 3-0 record in his starts this season. The former New England Patriots first-rounder has been remarkably efficient, completing 66.7% of his passes for 905 yards with six touchdowns against just one interception. His performance has placed him in elite company—Jones is only the second quarterback in NFL history, alongside Matthew Stafford with the 2021 Rams, to win his first three starts with a new franchise while throwing for at least 900 yards and six touchdowns. This remarkable stretch has given the 49ers confidence that they can continue their winning ways even without their starter.
The challenge for Jones grows more difficult as he’ll be working with a depleted receiving corps against the Buccaneers. Not only will Pearsall miss his second consecutive game, but veteran receiver Jauan Jennings remains questionable with ankle and rib injuries that kept him sidelined last week. This puts additional pressure on San Francisco’s remaining pass-catchers and likely means an even heavier workload for All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who returned to action last week after his own injury absence. The 49ers’ offensive depth has been a strength all season, but these multiple absences will test Shanahan’s creativity and Jones’ ability to distribute the ball effectively.
Sunday’s contest pits two of the NFC’s surprise 4-1 teams against each other in what could be an early preview of potential playoff matchups. The Buccaneers, led by Baker Mayfield’s resurgent play, have exceeded expectations after being widely predicted to struggle this season. Similarly, the 49ers have shown remarkable resilience despite numerous injuries to key players, demonstrating the depth and coaching that have made them one of the conference’s elite programs. The late-afternoon matchup (4:25 p.m. ET) represents an opportunity for both teams to strengthen their position in a competitive NFC race where early-season victories could prove crucial for playoff seeding.
As the 49ers navigate this challenging stretch without their franchise quarterback, they’ve found that their championship aspirations remain intact thanks to Jones’ unexpected contributions and Shanahan’s adaptable offense. While the organization certainly hopes for Purdy’s swift return to form, the current situation has revealed San Francisco’s impressive organizational depth and preparation. The matchup against Tampa Bay offers another opportunity for Jones to solidify his reputation as perhaps the league’s most valuable backup quarterback, while the 49ers aim to maintain their position among the NFC’s elite teams despite the adversity they’ve faced through the season’s first six weeks.
