The San Francisco 49ers continue to stay within reach of a playoff spot despite a turbulent season marked by injuries, particularly at quarterback. Starter Brock Purdy has missed eight of the team’s first 10 games due to injury, leaving the offense in the hands of veteran Mac Jones for much of the year.
Purdy’s absence has been felt, but Jones has kept the 49ers competitive. San Francisco is 5-3 in games Jones has started, including a recent stretch of two losses in their last three outings. The team’s record currently places them behind the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, both sitting at 7-2, in what has become one of the most competitive divisions in the NFC.
There may, however, be light at the end of the tunnel. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said before Tuesday’s practice that Purdy’s workload would be “aggressive,” even if he remained a limited participant. The 49ers have been gradually increasing Purdy’s activity over the past several weeks, and Shanahan sounded optimistic about his progress.
“I think each week it’s gone better, with last week being the best,” Shanahan said via 49ers insider David Bonilla. “Each week has been different. So if he takes a big step forward this week, like he did last week, he should have a good chance to play.”
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was also listed as limited in Tuesday’s practice as he works toward returning for the first time since Week 4.
The 49ers will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals this weekend before returning home to host the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football the following week. A potential Purdy return could provide the spark San Francisco needs for a late-season push.
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