Following their first defeat of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a couple of significant injury concerns heading into their short-week matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. And now a crucial update on Purdy’s availability status for the game has arrived.

General Manager John Lynch confirmed on KNBR that both starting quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are questionable for the game. In an X post, Ian Rapoport wrote: “#49ers GM John Lynch told @KNBR that QB Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall will both be questionable for the TNF #Rams game.” 

Purdy is dealing with toe soreness that surfaced after the loss to the Jaguars. The issue is serious enough that the young QB was listed as a non-participant on Monday’s practice report. Along with him, Ricky Pearsall‘s update on his injury status was also provided. The wide receiver hurt his knee against Jacksonville, and the GM expects Pearsall to be officially listed as questionable. Adding another potential absence for the team as they prepare for a division rival.

Also, as per reports by ESPN, if Purdy is unable to enter the game for week 5, Mac Jones will step up as a backup quarterback to make his third start of the season. He returned this Sunday to face the Jaguars, but then the game wasn’t what he had expected as their team lost with a score of 26-21.

Jones was hampered last week by a PCL sprain he suffered in Week 3 against the Cardinals. However, with Jones now reportedly having a “clean bill of health,” he is being eyed as the likely starter for Week 5 if Purdy cannot go.

How good a QB can Mac Jones be for the 49ers?

Comparing the stats of the two starts this season shows an interesting contrast: Mac Jones threw for four touchdowns and just one interception, while Brock Purdy, across his two games, has four touchdowns but four interceptions. This disparity is hard to ignore, especially when factoring in the huge difference in their contracts. Purdy’s performance against the Jaguars was clearly affected by his injury layoff. While he managed two touchdowns, the overall game was disappointing.

His struggles were highlighted by former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, who said on his podcast, “That was awful. Brock Purdy is back. I think if Mac Jones wasn’t hurt as badly as he was I think he starts this game. You could see the rust.” 

That lack of precision was evident on one particularly bad interception that was thrown straight into the defense. Given that Jones has a history of stepping up and delivering an impressive performance in a Week 2 win over the Saints and showing grit while injured in a Week 3 victory. He is now reportedly back to full health; the conversation shifts to strategy.