San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Thursday that quarterback Brock Purdy has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.
"Yeah, he won't be playing this week," Shanahan said during an appearance on Bay Area radio station KNBR.
Purdy sustained injuries to his left shoulder and toe during Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, with the toe injury viewed as the bigger concern. Shanahan acknowledged that the 49ers quarterback could still miss multiple games depending on how quickly he recovers.
Earlier Thursday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Purdy is expected to miss two to five weeks. However, general manager John Lynch stressed during his own radio interview that the quarterback is considered "week-to-week."
Shanahan echoed that assessment.
"Yeah, the same deal as what I said yesterday," Shanahan said. "Still a chance he can miss the next game. We're not sure. We'll see how the toe heals. It's kind of week-to-week right now, but he's getting better. Had a good rehab day today, and hopefully, we'll have some better luck next week."
Purdy finished 26-of-35 passing for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against Seattle in Week 1.
Mac Jones and Adrian Martinez will suit up vs. Saints
With Purdy sidelined, Mac Jones will start at quarterback, while practice squad signal-caller Adrian Martinez will be elevated as his backup.
"We only are allowed two practice squad guys up, so we've got a few roster situations," Shanahan noted. "If we wanted to sign a guy to our 53, we'd have to cut another guy. And with the number of guys being injured, that aren't on IR and things like that, it kind of made it difficult for us to have three quarterbacks in the building this week.
"So, we'll see how it continues to go with Brock. I would always like three guys available, but on game day, if you don't have three guys on your roster, only two guys are available anyway. We'll always go into the game with at least two. I would love for three to be available, but they've got to be on your 53 to have that option."
Shanahan added, "I really like how he's handled himself on the scout team this week. And this week, he's gotten all the reps, whereas last week, Mac got a ton. But if his number's called, if he needs to go in there, I feel confident with him to go in and run the offense."
Shanahan assesses Mac Jones
As for Jones, Shanahan expressed confidence in his backup quarterback.
"He had great OTAs," Shanahan said. "He had a great offseason here in training camp. Had a little setback there at the end of training camp, missing those two weeks with his knee, but he's been back out here these last two weeks, and he'll be ready to go Sunday."
Shanahan added, "We felt fortunate to get him, especially with him being able to play. I was hoping it wouldn't be this early. You never want your backup to have to go in because you don't want your starter to get hurt, but we feel really good about our backup quarterback here."
He also praised Jones' poise and decision-making in the pocket.
"I just think he knows how to play the position in terms of he knows how to play in the pocket," Shanahan said. "A lot of people know how to play in there when the pass rush isn't very good, but he can play in there when the pass rush is really good or when it's not there at all. He knows how to distribute the ball, he knows how to get the ball to the right spots, and he knows when he can hold on to it, when he can't. He did that as well as anyone that I've seen coming out of college, and he's shown that in the NFL also."
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