49ers expected to name Mac Jones as starting quarterback for Week 6

Matt Sullivan

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49ers expected to name Mac Jones as starting quarterback for Week 6 image

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The San Francisco 49ers are 4-1, thanks in large part to the heroics from backup quarterback Mac Jones this season. His magnum opus came in Week 5, as he led an incredibly depleted 49ers offense to a win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Jones proved he's more than just a quality backup, so much so that there were questions surrounding Brock Purdy. While those debates aren't of concern for the 49ers, they do have concerns regarding Purdy's health.

As Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports, the 49ers are expected to be without Purdy once again, leaving Jones as the starting quarterback for another week. He'll get another start, this time against the 4-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

49ers expected to be without Brock Purdy for Week 6, likely to start Mac Jones once again

"Mac Jones is likely starting at QB again this week for the 49ers, sources tell CBS Sports," Zenitz reports.

This decision isn't a major surprise, as Purdy has continued not to practice for the 49ers as he deals with a toe injury. Purdy has played in two games this season, throwing for 586 yards and four touchdowns with four interceptions. His most recent game was a loss to the now 4-1 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jones, meanwhile, has made three starts for the 49ers this season. Across those three games, he has 905 passing yards with six passing touchdowns and one interception. He's led the 49ers to three wins, including the impressive Thursday Night Football win over the Rams.

Against the Rams, without George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings, Jones passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns with 33 completions on 49 attempts. It was an incredible performance, especially with how banged up Jones was during the game.

More: Mac Jones’ hot streak puts $265M QB Brock Purdy on the spot, Schefter weighs in

While the 49ers will likely be without Pearsall once more, Jennings has a chance to play this week. Purdy, Kittle, and Pearsall will all likely miss Week 6's game against the 4-1 Buccaneers, the toughest matchup for the 49ers this season.

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have been one of the best teams this season, and are coming off a barn-burner against the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers offense will have a tall task to win in Week 6, but Jones has shown enough to feel confident that he and Kyle Shanahan can work out a win together.

Jones is expected to start for the 49ers on Sunday against the Buccaneers, which would be his 4th start this season in six weeks of play. He's been a great backup, and a win this week would further cement a legendary status among backup quarterback stints in NFL history.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.