Fans Are in Agreement About Brock Purdy’s Backup as 49ers Lose Injured QB for Weeks

After a forgettable 2024 season where the previous year’s Super Bowl team couldn’t even make it to the playoffs, 2025 was going to be Brock Purdy’s year. The Mr. Irrelevant-turned-QB 1 even assured everyone after getting a $265 million worth contract that, “(I will) get back to playing with the chip on my shoulder like it was my first two years of every game, every down trying to prove to myself that I’m the guy for this team.” But San Francisco’s plans derailed with the franchise signal caller’s toe injury. His return timeline only got blurrier with Ian Rapaport’s latest update. With Mac Jones taking Purdy’s spot, not many are believing in the 49ers’ rebound year anymore, either.

Ian Rapoport’s NFL Network appearance on Wednesday morning confirmed what Kyle Shanahan and the Niners feared most. The insider revealed, “Kyle Shanahan told reporters yesterday that Brock Purdy is a long shot to play this week. It could be a multiple-week injury. My understanding is that Brock Purdy is out two to five weeks. Two to five weeks for Brock Purdy with what is essentially a variant of turf toe. It is a ligament injury that affects the bottom of his foot. Call it turf toe if you want—that’s basically what Kyle Shanahan has said.

“But two to five weeks for Brock Purdy, which would put him out, at least, the Saints game this week, the Cardinals game next week, and then we’ll see. It is swollen. It is irritated. No one knows how it’s going to react, but certainly, it seems like the 49ers are looking at probably two starts for Mac Jones, their backup quarterback, and maybe more. And it’s been tough early on for the 49ers, guys. Obviously, you had the Christian McCaffrey minor injury to start out Week 1. He ended up playing. You have George Kittle on IR with a hamstring injury. Another battery of injuries for the 49ers. A lot of challenges early on.”

Although the 49ers have one of the easiest schedules this season, but last season’s 6-11 record meant a need for a strong start. Not to mention, they get a bye all the way in week 14, only adding to the urgency and fans’ overall uproar. The injury timeline creates uncertainty because turf toe injuries notoriously linger, especially for quarterbacks who rely on precise footwork. Purdy’s assessment paints a grim picture for an offense built around his accuracy and mobility. Rapaport later also tweeted in reference to Purdy’s timeline, “Then, his availability will be determined by how his rehab goes.”

The injury epidemic continues to plague the San Francisco roster heading into the 2025 season like it did last season. Tight End George Kittle remains on injured reserve with his hamstring problem, while wide receiver Jauan Jennings battles shoulder issues, and Ben Bartch deals with knee concerns. Already, Christian McCaffrey had a minor injury concern in week 1 when he played anyway. These mounting health problems test San Francisco’s depth across multiple positions.

If Purdy’s absence extends to five weeks, he wouldn’t return until Week 7 against Atlanta, creating massive pressure on Jones to maintain playoff positioning. The harsh reality remains clear—49ers fans really don’t want Mac Jones.

49ers fans worry as Mac Jones steps in for injured Purdy

San Francisco fans are expressing serious doubts about Mac Jones taking over. These concerns are backed by clear evidence from Jones’ career performance. In Jacksonville, he threw 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 10 games (7 starts), continuing his tendency for turnovers. For a team looking to become Super Bowl contenders once again, such lapses can be fatal. That’s exactly what one fan stated, saying, “It’s concerning that Mac Jones is on this team.”

Another fan commented, “Just when I thought the 49ers could challenge for the Super Bowl this year…they aren’t doing that with Mac Jones.” Purdy came into the Bay Area as Mr. Irrelevant and had to prove himself at every point. Entering his fourth season, he has already been to the Super Bowl and broken franchise records. Not to mention, he was projected to be the MVP this season. No wonder the fans trust him now. In contrast, Jones’ career record is on shaky ground with 44 interceptions against 54 touchdowns.

Shocked by the update on Purdy’s return, a fan simply wrote, “bad.” After a promising rookie season (3,801 yards, 22 TDs, 13 Ints), Jones’ production fell sharply. He managed only 24 touchdowns against 23 interceptions in his next 25 games with New England.

Another worried supporter added, “If he starts more than 3 games szn is over.” Again, Jones initially showed promise as Tom Brady’s successor in New England. However, his performance declined sharply over the next two seasons. Former coach Bill Belichick eventually benched him for Bailey Zappe. Jones’ tenure in Jacksonville proved equally inconsistent when filling in for an injured Trevor Lawrence. His inability to extend plays could strain San Francisco’s offensive system, clearly something to worry about for Shanahan and Co.

The way fans are reacting reflects legitimate concerns based on statistical reality. Jones’ declining performance, turnover tendencies, and lack of mobility present genuine challenges for a Super Bowl-contending team. While the 49ers’ strong roster might help compensate, the historical data backs the apprehension about this quarterback transition.