Could quarterback Adrian Martinez make his first NFL start with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? With Brock Purdy officially ruled out due to a toe injury, the 49ers are expected to turn to Mac Jones. However, Jones is also banged up, dealing with knee and oblique issues, and is listed as questionable on the final injury report.

If Jones is unable to go, that leaves Martinez as San Francisco's only fully healthy quarterback.


However, head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted he already knows whether Jones will be available on Sunday. When asked when he might make a decision on the quarterback's status, he said, "I pretty much already have, but you've got to put it that way if there's any doubt at all. So, pretty much already have."

His comments suggest the expectation is that Jones will suit up on Sunday.

How ready is Adrian Martinez?


With Purdy sidelined and Jones limited, Martinez saw increased first-team reps in practice this week. Shanahan noted the added work has been valuable in preparing the 25-year-old quarterback.

"This week's been nice for him because he's got a lot more reps with the ones this week, just filling in for Mac and stuff," Shanahan explained. "So, we've been able to see him on tape more instead of just running cards and things like that. So, got a better feeling this week than I have in the past few weeks."

If Jones can't go, the 49ers will likely simplify the game plan for Martinez.


"You always try to keep it as simple as you can for guys in that situation," Shanahan continued, "give him certain things, he tells you things he's the most comfortable with, and then you try to isolate on that stuff. But um when you get into a game, it's about the situation.

"So, you try to make it as easy as possible, but you do what you have to do based off of how the game's going."

Don't forget about Kurtis Rourke


It's been a while since we've heard anything about quarterback Kurtis Rourke, one of the 49ers' seventh-round draft picks this year. He began the season on the non-football injury (NFI) list after undergoing ACL surgery in January. Most assumed he wouldn't contribute this season, but Shanahan revealed encouraging progress.

"We should open his window soon," Shanahan said. "It's getting real close, too—probably a few weeks away. I mean, it could be anywhere from next week to a few weeks, but he's close, he's moving good, and it'll be soon."

Once the 49ers open Rourke's practice window, they'll have 21 days to evaluate him before deciding whether to activate him or shut him down for the season. While Shanahan cautioned that Rourke isn't expected to immediately step into a roster role, his potential return provides depth at a critical position.


"I think he'll look good when he's ready to go in those three weeks," Shanahan added, "but someone who has missed all of the offseason and everything, that would be tough to call him next man up or any situation like that. He probably could have gone this week, especially with us being down a quarterback and everything, but we like to wait until he's fully healthy, and we're not going to put him up just for that reason.

"So, we'll see how his three weeks go and if it makes sense on our roster. If he can do it, then we'll do that, and if not, we'll shut him down."

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