Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are nearing a tipping level in terms of their quarterback state of affairs.
Whereas Brock Purdy didn't return from his proper massive toe damage Sunday towards the Los Angeles Rams, coach Kyle Shanahan indicated for the primary time since Purdy aggravated it in Week 4 that he may have been obtainable as Mac Jones' backup.
“He may have gone [as the No. 2], undoubtedly,” Shanahan stated. “I simply determined to carry him up in that state of affairs.”
That call meant Purdy was inactive for a sixth consecutive week and Jones made his eighth begin of the season. And Jones, as he has in almost all these earlier video games, carried out properly.
After final week's win towards the New York Giants, Shanahan acknowledged that Purdy probably would not return to full well being at any level this season as he offers with turf toe. The query has now develop into whether or not he can get shut sufficient to 100% to reclaim his beginning job with Jones taking part in at his present degree.
Over the previous few weeks, the Niners have toyed with the concept that Purdy could possibly be Jones' backup, even contemplating utilizing Purdy because the backup on Sunday. In the end, although, it is clear the 49ers do not intend to make Purdy lively once more till he is wholesome sufficient to reclaim his beginning job.
That is one thing that would, in response to Shanahan, come as quickly as subsequent week towards the Arizona Cardinals.
It additionally may not.
“It will depend on how near 100% he will get,” Shanahan stated. “Our dilemma or what we're attempting to not do is put him out within the state of affairs we did versus Jacksonville six weeks in the past … I do consider he is nearer and additional alongside than what he was at the moment. Hopefully he'll have an opportunity this week.”
In fact, it is exhausting to not surprise precisely the place the intersection is between how wholesome Purdy can get and the way properly Jones is performing. So far, Shanahan and basic supervisor John Lynch have remained publicly adamant that Purdy will step again into the beginning job once they deem him wholesome sufficient to return.
On Monday of final week, Shanahan stated the 2 issues are “not associated” and added that “that is Brock's crew and if Brock's good to go and may play like Brock, there is no resolution to be made.”
Therein lies the rub. It is a extra nuanced proposition on condition that Purdy, as Shanahan has stated, most likely will not be at full power once more this season. It is much more tough to determine when Jones has been constantly productive.
Purdy may, hypothetically, attain 90% well being however is that higher than Jones at full power? It might be simple sufficient for the 49ers to proceed driving with Jones given the likelihood Purdy may wrestle or, worse, reaggravate the toe damage once more.
In Sunday's 42-26 loss to the Rams, Jones was 33-of-39 for 319 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for an 88.8 QBR. That is his highest QBR as a Niner and the very best of any recreation he is performed because the 2021 season. It is also the fourth time this season Jones had a passer ranking above 100.
In his eight begins, Jones has performed like a prime 10 quarterback. He ranks second in passing yards per recreation (268.9), eighth in completion share over expectation (3.1%), ninth in completion share (69.6%) and tenth in yards per try (7.4). His 65.1 QBR ranks twelfth, greater than Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers.
With Jones beneath heart, the 49ers are 5-3 regardless of a rotating forged of talent place gamers apart from star working again Christian McCaffrey. On Sunday, tight finish George Kittle stated three straight occasions that he didn't anticipate Jones to be nearly as good as he is been after the Niners signed him to a two-year deal price as much as $8.4 million in March.
McCaffrey, in the meantime, stated he is unsurprised given what he noticed from Jones within the offseason program and coaching camp.
“He is a baller,” McCaffrey stated. “He instructions a huddle, he is aware of the place to go, has nice poise and he is a baller.”
Like Sam Darnold earlier than him, Jones signed with the Niners as a free agent in March with a watch towards getting a as soon as promising profession again on observe.
Jones struggled mightily in his ultimate two seasons with the New England Patriots and final 12 months with the Jacksonville Jaguars. These struggles left Jones in search of not solely a contemporary begin however a spot that might enable him to get again to having fun with the sport. He is discovered it with Shanahan and his scheme and a locker room full of fellows who've his again.
“I needed to get again to having enjoyable taking part in soccer,” Jones stated. “I feel I've finished that… And I needed to get round group that believes within the gamers and that has coaches that consider within the gamers and gamers that consider within the gamers … I've simply been actually lucky to be right here this 12 months and I need to simply try to discover methods to win video games for us and that is all I am right here to do. And the long run will handle itself.”
What that future holds stays to be seen as Purdy works his approach again. One factor that appears sure is that whether or not Jones continues because the starter or not, there's little doubt that he is efficiently set himself as much as be QB1 once more someplace quickly.
Not that Jones is spending a lot time fascinated with all of that.
“I've by no means tried to look forward,” Jones stated. “It is exhausting to not, however I by no means need to do this. I need to deal with every week and I understand how difficult the NFL is simply having performed for a few years and really feel like now we have a younger crew that wants management proper now and my aim is to guide them and prepare for Arizona.”
