Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the second consecutive week and the fourth time within the first six video games, Mac Jones is anticipated to begin at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Jones was restricted in observe all week due to left knee and indirect illnesses and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Regardless of that, he's slated to begin towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned on KNBR radio Thursday.
“Just about have already got [said he will play],” Shanahan mentioned Friday, referring to his radio interview. “However you have to put it that means if there's any doubt in any respect. … It is all recorded. I do not suppose I've to repeat my reply.”
Jones' fourth begin comes as beginning quarterback Brock Purdy continues to cope with a toe damage he suffered in Week 1 and aggravated in Week 4. Purdy didn't observe this week and was formally dominated out Friday.
Jones didn't do any strenuous throwing in Thursday's observe, saying afterward that he was “saving” throws so he could possibly be higher ready for Sunday's sport. He did, nonetheless, do some throwing Friday.
Jones expressed confidence he'd be capable of play towards the Bucs however acknowledged that a lot would depend upon how the remainder of the week performs out.
Jones' knee damage occurred in a preseason sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders, and although he recovered, he aggravated it in Week 3 towards the Arizona Cardinals. He then strained his indirect on San Francisco's ultimate offensive snap towards the Rams.
However Jones and the Niners had a number of additional days to get well after the Thursday night time sport after which put in a plan to restrict his workload this week with a watch towards having him out there in Tampa for a conflict of 4-1 NFC groups.
“I consider for those who can shield your self, that you ought to be on the market and taking part in,” Jones mentioned. “A whole lot of guys are working via stuff. That is the NFL, and I've discovered that you just simply acquired to have the ability to go on the market and shield your self and play. … You may be powerful and have a great angle and work via the psychological and bodily stuff, and that is all you possibly can ask for actually.”
Very like final week towards the Rams, Jones and the Niners' offense will enter this sport with a cobbled-together crew of cross catchers out there at tight finish and huge receiver.
That is as a result of wideout Ricky Pearsall will miss his second straight sport with a proper knee damage. Jauan Jennings is taken into account extra of a game-time resolution as he practiced on a restricted foundation Thursday and Friday with rib and ankle accidents.
Along with Pearsall and probably Jennings, the 49ers are nonetheless with out tight finish George Kittle (hamstring) and receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jordan Watkins (calf).
That leaves the Niners as soon as once more anticipated to show to a gaggle that features receivers Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson and tight ends Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell to fill the void.
Towards the Rams, it was Bourne who emerged as Jones' high goal as he posted a career-high 142 yards on 10 receptions.
“He simply will get higher each week,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak mentioned. “He is a gamer. You see a man who's nonetheless studying to know our offense schematically, however he will get higher each week. He is such a pleasure to be round as a result of he is all-in. He is acquired a fantastic angle. He works at it. I believe he is a man, the extra he's on the market, the extra he's going to assist us. And so actually enthusiastic about what he is carried out, what we hope he can preserve doing.”
Elsewhere on the damage report, rookie defensive sort out Alfred Collins is listed as questionable with a knee damage he suffered towards the Rams. Collins did not observe Wednesday however was concerned Thursday and Friday. Cornerback Upton Stout, security Malik Mustapha and defensive sort out Kalia Davis are additionally questionable.
Defensive sort out Kevin Givens (pectoral) and lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) have additionally been dominated out.
