When your starter quarterback goes down, that’s bad luck. When the backup falls too, it’s a crisis. That’s exactly where the San Francisco 49ers landed after Brock Purdy injured his toe in the opener and Mac Jones was elevated to starter.

Jones found a bit of rhythm, but a sprained PCL against the Arizona Cardinals slowed him down. Kyle Shanahan offered a sliver of hope, saying both QBs were limited but still involved. “Good. He’s better today than he was on Sunday,” Shanahan said of Purdy midweek, keeping his status unclear.

Jones told reporters his knee wasn’t a long-term worry. “Yeah, so I had a little injury that I just reaggravated and I’m good,” he said. “I felt like it affected my play a little bit, which I was disappointed about. I could have just been tougher.”

By Friday, Shanahan cleared things up: Purdy is back. “He looked good in practice all week,” the coach confirmed. Purdy will start against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a boost for the 49ers as they look to extend their unbeaten run.

“We’ll have him out there Sunday, and we’re confident he’s ready to go.”

Purdy missed two games after the turf toe injury against the Seahawks, but with his full participation at the practice session on Friday, Shanahan confirmed his return.

“I mean, that was what we were hoping for,” Shanahan said of Purdy after the practice session.

Purdy’s inclusion as the starter will surely boost the 49ers’ offense and in their hope to continue the winning streak (3-0) this season. After all, even with an injury in the first half against the Seahawks, he not only continued to play but led his team to victory. He completed 26 of his 35 passes for 277 yards, throwing two touchdown passes, including a game-winning touchdown drive. He had 2 interceptions with a 78.8 QBR.

This determination was witnessed in the practice sessions as well, which compelled the 49ers’ front desk to advance him to the active list. His progress had been monitored for a long time.

Last week, the 49ers decided to make Purdy the backup. But eventually withdrew the decision in fear of making the injury worse before he is fully healthy. Though they knew that Purdy was close to being available but sitting him out was the need then.

“The fact that we even considered him to be an emergency guy last week, just talking to him Monday and Tuesday, he wasn’t full on Wednesday or Thursday, but you could tell he was going that direction,” Shanahan said.

Brock Purdy in, Mac Jones questionable

The 49ers always find a way to deflect the QB dilemma. In Purdy’s absence, Jones was very effective, winning both his starting games. He accumulated 563 yards passing, four touchdowns, and only one interception. But went down in the Sunday matchup against Arizona. He was even restricted for three consecutive days from practice.

But Jones seems to be optimistic about his early return to the camp. He remains positive even with the injury. “I still feel fine,” he said. “Just like any other week, you’re going through the week, getting the game plans as a backup or a starter. So, I feel I can do both. I’ll be ready to play.”

The injury list that the 49ers brought out does not stop with Jones. WR Jauan Jennings is likely to be out after he did not take part in training earlier in the week due to an ankle and shoulder issue. Though he managed a limited appearance on Friday. In addition, WR Jordan Watkins (calf) and DT C.J. West (thumb) cannot be part of the team.

Among other players that are marked as questionable are wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee), cornerback Renardo Green (neck), and offensive lineman Connor Colby (groin).

Despite many unknowns about the offense that the 49ers will have in their game against the Jaguars, the team gets some calmness from Purdy being back under the center. In the case that Jones can wear the pads and get ready to take the field, San Francisco will be holding both of the quarterback options at their disposal to deal with any scenario in this crucial early-season game.