Brock Purdy out, Mac Jones questionable but expected to start vs. Bucs

Brock Purdy will miss his second consecutive game and fourth this season due to a lingering toe injury, while backup Mac Jones is questionable for the San Francisco 49ers’ game in Tampa, Fla., against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Despite being limited in practice by knee and oblique injuries, Jones is expected to make his fourth start of the season for the Niners. If he cannot, third-string quarterback Adrian Martinez, who has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, would be San Francisco’s next option.

Asked Friday when the team will decide whether Jones will play, coach Kyle Shanahan said, “Pretty much already have, but you’ve got to put (questionable on the injury report) if there’s any doubt at all.”

Purdy suffered the toe injury in the season opener and aggravated it in his first game back against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. He did not practice this week.

Jones is battling a left knee sprain that has bothered him since training camp and an oblique injury he suffered at the end of last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams. He has gone 3-0 as a starter this season, playing with a knee brace and overcoming injuries and cramps to help the 49ers upset the Rams in overtime and claim the NFC West lead at 4-1.

In addition to Purdy, the 49ers will be without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who did not practice this week with a knee injury, but Jauan Jennings could return from ankle and knee injuries after getting in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He’s listed as questionable. Tight end George Kittle remains on injured reserve with a hamstring. He has “a chance” to return next week, coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will be short-handed as well. Mike Evans (hamstring) will miss his third consecutive game, and fellow wideout Chris Godwin is out and “week to week” with a fibula injury, which coach Todd Bowles said Friday is different from the dislocated ankle and broken fibula that ended Godwin’s 2024 season. Bucs running back Bucky Irving will miss a second consecutive game with foot and shoulder injuries, and cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison are also out.