At the start of the season, a Brock Purdy injury would’ve been enough to send 49ers fans into full-on panic mode. However, Mac Jones stepping in meant the fans didn’t miss him too much. But things are never smooth sailing in San Francisco. Heading into Week 6 against the Buccaneers, Purdy’s still out, and now Mac Jones is questionable too. And Kyle Shanahan has been forced to make some decisions.

According to renowned insider Tom Pelissero, the 49ers worked out three QBs but did not sign any of them.

“With Brock Purdy out again and Mac Jones officially questionable, the #49ers worked out three QBs on Thursday: Desmond Ridder, Nathan Peterman and Quinten Dormady,” Pelissero wrote. “San Francisco did not immediately sign any of them, leaving Adrian Martinez to back up Mac Jones on Sunday.”

Yes, HC Shanahan may not have signed any QB just yet, but he still might. Of the three, Ridder’s got the most real NFL experience. The former Atlanta Falcons third-round pick has 18 career starts (25 games total) under his belt, posting an 8–10 record with 4,002 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

Peterman, on the other hand, is the veteran of the group. But his track record hasn’t been great. He’s 1–4 as a starter across 15 career appearances, throwing for 712 yards with four touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The former fifth-round pick by Buffalo last spent time on the Falcons’ practice squad in 2024.

If Shanahan decides to roll with the guys already in-house, it’ll be Adrian Martinez backing up Jones. Martinez actually got more first-team reps in practice this week. That’s a big change from his usual role running the scout team. That gave the coaching staff a better look at what he can do in the actual offense rather than just mimicking opponents.

“This week’s been nice for him because he’s gotten a lot more reps with the ones this week, just filling in for Mac and stuff,” Shanahan said. “So, we’ve been able to see him on tape more instead of just running cards and things like that. So, got a better feeling this week than I have in the past few weeks.”

The 49ers added him this offseason to be a backup option in case of an injury crisis. And clearly, that crisis has it.

49ers are shorthanded ahead of Week 6

The SF 49ers will be rather shorthanded going into the Week 6 game vs Tampa Bay. And it’s not just the quarterback that’s been hit. The Niners are limping into Sunday’s matchup hard. Eleven players are on the injury report, and five have already been ruled out.

Out: DT Kevin Givens (pectoral), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee, hamstring), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee), QB Brock Purdy (toe), WR Jordan Watkins (calf)

Questionable: DT Alfred Collins (knee), DT Kalia Davis (hand), WR Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib), QB Mac Jones (knee, oblique), S Malik Mustapha (knee), CB Upton Stout (ankle)

Fans were hoping to see Purdy back by now, but that toe injury he suffered in Week 1 is still holding him out. In the meantime, Mac Jones has been undefeated as San Francisco’s starter. But his knee and oblique issues make him a long shot to play this weekend.

Adding more to the pain, rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall’s also been ruled out, leaving the offense even thinner. With George Kittle still on IR, the 49ers have leaned on vets like Kendrick Bourne to keep the passing game alive.

The one bit of optimism? The team hasn’t placed Purdy on injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four weeks. That suggests he’s closer to returning. Well, sooner than later. For now, though, San Francisco’s just trying to get through Sunday with whoever’s healthy enough to suit up. The fans will cross their fingers for Mac Jones to somehow play this week at Raymond James Stadium.