The San Francisco 49ers are facing yet another quarterback dilemma as they head into Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season. With starting quarterback Brock Purdy officially ruled out, questions are swirling around the team’s offensive stability, the backup situation, and how head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to keep the 49ers offense competitive amid mounting injuries.
Below is a detailed look at Purdy’s current injury situation, the team’s Week 6 quarterback depth, and what it means for San Francisco’s short- and long-term prospects.
Brock Purdy’s Injury: What Happened?
Brock Purdy has been battling a lingering toe injury since the start of the season — one that has clearly affected his mobility and throwing mechanics. Initially described as a minor issue in Week 1, the injury worsened over the following weeks, particularly after he took several hits during the 49ers’ Week 4 matchup.
Despite his attempts to play through the pain, team doctors and medical staff advised rest, leading to his official Week 6 inactive status. According to 49ers.com, the franchise made the decision to sit Purdy down early in the week to allow proper healing and prevent a long-term setback.
“It’s something that’s been bothering him for a while,” Shanahan told reporters on Thursday. “We’re taking it week by week. He’s not going on injured reserve right now, but we’ll evaluate where he’s at after this weekend.”
The good news: the team has not placed him on Injured Reserve (IR) — a sign that his recovery timeline could be relatively short. That decision allows the 49ers to reinsert Purdy into the lineup as soon as he’s healthy, rather than waiting the mandatory four games required by an IR designation.
Still, sources around the team suggest Purdy might miss multiple weeks, depending on how the injury responds to treatment. The toe issue, while not severe enough for surgery, has limited his ability to plant and pivot during throws — a critical element for his accuracy and pocket control.
Week 6 Status: Officially Out
As of Saturday’s final injury report, the 49ers confirmed that Brock Purdy is out for Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The announcement wasn’t a major surprise, given Purdy missed all three days of practice this week and was seen working individually with trainers rather than participating in team drills.
His absence will break a streak of consecutive starts dating back to his rookie season, underscoring just how durable and consistent he has been since taking over as San Francisco’s QB1. The 49ers are currently 3–2 and sitting second in the NFC West, making this a crucial week to stay competitive in the standings.
🔁 Who’s Next Up? QB Depth Chart Breakdown
With Purdy sidelined, the 49ers’ quarterback depth has come under heavy scrutiny — especially since Sam Darnold was traded during the offseason and Brandon Allen left in free agency. That leaves two names in the spotlight:
Mac Jones – Likely Week 6 Starter
The 49ers acquired Mac Jones from the New England Patriots earlier this year in a low-risk trade. After spending most of the offseason learning Shanahan’s system, Jones has been serving as the primary backup to Purdy.
However, Jones himself enters Week 6 listed as questionable with knee and oblique issues. Despite that designation, multiple reports from The San Francisco Chronicle and Pro Football Network indicate that Jones is expected to start on Sunday — barring any last-minute setbacks in pregame warmups.
Jones took first-team reps during Friday’s practice, which is usually a sign the team intends to start him. His familiarity with a timing-based offensive scheme (similar to New England’s short-pass system) may help him fit into Shanahan’s playbook more naturally than some other backups would.
“Mac’s looked good in practice,” Shanahan said. “He’s been in similar systems before, so he understands the timing and rhythm we want. We’ll adjust the game plan to suit his strengths if he’s the guy.”
If Jones does get the start, he’ll face a challenging Tampa Bay defense that ranks among the top ten in third-down pressure rate.
Adrian Martinez – Rookie Backup
Behind Jones is Adrian Martinez, the undrafted rookie out of Kansas State. Martinez impressed during training camp with his athleticism and dual-threat ability, earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
While he’s unlikely to start unless Jones is unable to go, Martinez could see snaps in designed packages or if the game gets out of hand. The team values his mobility, and Shanahan has hinted that Martinez’s speed could open up creative RPO (run-pass option) looks.
Should both Purdy and Jones be unavailable, Martinez would be the next man up — a scenario that would mark his NFL debut.
49ers’ Contingency Plans
Given the uncertain quarterback situation, San Francisco has been proactive in evaluating external options. According to Niners Nation and Reuters, the team worked out three free-agent quarterbacks this week:
Desmond Ridder (formerly of the Falcons)
Nathan Peterman
Quinten Dormady
As of Saturday, none have been signed, but the workouts suggest the 49ers are preparing for the possibility that both Purdy and Jones could miss time. Should Jones aggravate his injury, Ridder remains the most likely emergency signing due to his starting experience and athletic upside.
What This Means for the 49ers Offense
Purdy’s absence is significant — not just because of his playmaking ability but because of his chemistry with San Francisco’s core offensive weapons. Over the past two seasons, Purdy developed strong timing with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey.
With Mac Jones under center, expect a more conservative offensive approach, leaning heavily on McCaffrey in both the run and short-pass game. Shanahan may also incorporate more quick throws and bootleg rollouts to protect Jones from pressure.
Defensively, the 49ers have the talent to keep games close. However, their ability to sustain drives and control tempo will depend on whether Jones can limit turnovers — something that plagued him during his final season in New England.
Looking Ahead: When Could Purdy Return?
The earliest realistic return for Brock Purdy would be Week 7, though Week 8 appears more plausible based on current recovery projections. The team is focused on ensuring full mobility before reinserting him into live action, especially given his importance to the playoff race.
San Francisco’s upcoming schedule includes games against the Buccaneers (Week 6), Seahawks (Week 7), and Cowboys (Week 8) — all critical matchups for NFC playoff positioning. The 49ers would prefer to have Purdy back by the Seattle game, but the final decision will rest on medical evaluations next week.
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