The San Francisco 49ers have started the season strong with a 3-1 record, but injuries to key players have cast some uncertainty over their momentum. Quarterback Brock Purdy made his return in Week 4 after missing two games with a toe injury, though he wasn’t quite at full strength as the 49ers suffered their first loss of the season.
With Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams looming, all eyes will be on Purdy’s health and whether the 49ers can bounce back.
Will Brock Purdy Play Tonight Against the Rams?
The 49ers’ season is starting to feel like a repeat of years past, even after opening with three wins and just one loss. Once again, injuries are piling up, forcing head coach Kyle Shanahan to improvise with less talented players and push his stars onto the field before they are fully healthy.
That was clear in the loss to the Jaguars, as the top receivers practiced in a limited capacity all week. Ricky Pearsall left the game injured, and Jauan Jennings dealt with an ankle issue. But the biggest concern was at quarterback, specifically Purdy’s turf toe.
Initial reports suggested Purdy would miss anywhere from two to five weeks, with a more prolonged absence expected. After limited practices since Week 3, the 49ers rushed him back, but he again complained of pain in the same toe injured in Week 1.
During the game, it was evident Purdy was unable to generate the same ground force in his throws. Many passes floated, and while he still connected on some good plays, he clearly wasn’t the healthy version of the quarterback who became the league’s seventh-highest-paid at his position.
Purdy ultimately did not practice on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and has now officially been ruled out for tonight’s game. He isn’t the only absence, as Jennings, Pearsall, and Jordan Watkins will also miss the 49ers’ third NFC West matchup of the season.
49ers injury report vs. Rams on Thursday:
OUT
QB Brock Purdy (toe)
WR Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs)
WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)
WR Jordan Watkins (calf)Whoa.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 1, 2025
In Purdy’s absence, Mac Jones will resume starting duties. This will be his third start of the season, and he’s made the most of his opportunities, throwing for 563 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception.
Jones has won both of his previous starts, and the 49ers will hope his streak continues tonight against the Rams.
Jones is currently ranked 12th among quarterbacks in PFSN’s QB Impact metric with a grade of 80.1 (C+), but the team is eager for Purdy’s return. Purdy’s 0.58 EPA per dropback in a clean pocket ranks second in the NFL, and he leads the league with a 60.0% third-down conversion rate, numbers that highlight just how valuable he is to the offense.
