The San Francisco 49ers have started the 2025 NFL season strong despite dealing with numerous injuries, including one to their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy.
Purdy suffered toe and shoulder injuries during the 49ers’ Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old has been in and out of San Francisco’s lineup since, missing Weeks 2 and 3 because of the turf toe malady before returning to action in Week 4.
However, Purdy is, once again, out of the lineup for the 49ers’ Week 5 ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. His absence is creating questions about whether he will, once again, be forced to miss multiple games or if this is simply a short-week anomaly for the 2023 Pro Bowler.
Here’s what to know about Purdy’s potential return date, as well as how the 49ers quarterback room shapes up behind him.
When will Brock Purdy return?
The 49ers have not provided a concrete timeline for Purdy’s return, but it doesn’t seem like the quarterback will be facing a long-term absence.
Purdy was asked about his toe injury during a Tuesday media availability. He told reporters his injured toe ‘feels a lot better’ than it did after the team’s Week 1 win over the Seahawks.
‘[My] toe’s just a little sore from the game, but nowhere near as bad as after Seattle,’ Purdy said.
The 25-year-old quarterback made it clear he expected some soreness after returning to the field as well. However, he also explained his recovery was impacted by the 49ers’ condensed schedule ahead of ‘Thursday Night Football.’
‘With the quick turnaround, Thursday night game and everything, it’s just tougher,’ Purdy said. ‘You don’t have as many days to get right, heal up and feel better. So, [that’s] just where we’re at.’
Purdy will have a 10-day ‘mini-bye’ to recover from his latest setback. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 because of the turf toe problem before returning to the field in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That said, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters any decision to return Purdy to the lineup won’t just be about him tolerating the pain with which he is dealing.
‘It’ll come down to do we feel he can play to 100% of his ability and do we feel like he can protect himself with it,’ Shanahan explained.
The 49ers’ next game will be in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy may have a shot to suit up for that contest if the extra time off helps his toe improve.
Who is the 49ers backup QB?
Mac Jones is the 49ers’ backup quarterback. The 27-year-old signed with the team in free agency after spending the 2024 season as Trevor Lawrence’s backup with the Jaguars.
Jones – the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots – has fared well in Kyle Shanahan’s system. He led the 49ers to a 2-0 record in two starts in place of Purdy while completing 66.3% of his passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
49ers QB depth chart
The 49ers have four quarterbacks in their organization, but just two are presently healthy. Below is a look at the current pecking order in the team’s quarterback room.
- Mac Jones
- Adrian Martinez (practice squad)
Purdy would normally top the depth chart if healthy, but his absence has allowed Jones to ascend into the starting role.
Meanwhile, seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke was expected to be the third-string quarterback, but he is currently on the non-football injury (NFI) list because of a knee injury. That has opened the door for Martinez, the 2024 UFL MVP, to be elevated from the practice squad and serve as Jones’ backup in Purdy’s absence.