The San Francisco 49ers are facing another difficult quarterback decision ahead of their Week 6 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Star quarterback Brock Purdy was unable to practice on Wednesday due to his lingering turf toe injury, casting serious doubt over his availability for the high-stakes road matchup.
While head coach Kyle Shanahan is not considering placing him on Injured Reserve, the coaching staff is unwilling to risk further aggravation.
Given the uncertainty, it is considered highly unlikely that Purdy will feature against the Buccaneers, meaning the 49ers will once again turn to backup Mac Jones to lead the offence.
The status of Brock Purdy and Mac Jones
Purdy aggravated his toe injury in Week 4, and his absence from Wednesday's practice signals that the team is preparing to proceed without him.
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Shanahan confirmed the approach is "week to week," emphasizing that they want to commit to a rest period to ensure the turf toe does not become a recurring issue.
The silver lining for the 49ers is the surprising effectiveness of backup Mac Jones.
The former Patriots first-round pick has led the team to a perfect 3-0 record as a starter this season, completing 905 yards for six touchdowns and one interception.
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Jones was limited in practice himself with minor knee and oblique issues but is fully expected to be under centre on Sunday.
Why the 49ers cannot afford to rush his return
The decision not to rush Purdy back is essential for the team's long-term success.
Purdy previously missed two games earlier this season with the same toe injury, and a high-stakes, physical game against the Buccaneers' defence is not the right time to test his recovery.
The quarterback situation is further complicated by the likely absence of key wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs).
Mac Jones will have to operate with a depleted receiving corps, but the 49ers will rely on the consistency of the run game, led by Christian McCaffrey, and their powerful defensive unit to secure a crucial win in the NFC.
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