The 6-4 record might not suggest it, but the 2025 NFL season has been a brutal one to go through for the San Francisco 49ers. Injuries have ravaged the roster at every level, with no unit walking away unscathed. Perhaps the biggest of these blows came in Week 2, when it affected their quarterback.
Since then, Brock Purdy has appeared in just one more game for the franchise, as backup Mac Jones has done a tremendous job for the organization. But with the playoff race tightening up heading into Week 11, fans have begun to wonder when they will see the newly extended franchise quarterback back in action.
What Happened to Brock Purdy?
After a ton of roster turnover in the summer, the 49ers finally gave Purdy a massive five-year, $265 million contract extension. From a former Mr. Irrelevant, he had earned his place among the highest-paid players in the league.
However, the 2025 season did not get off to the best start for him. Suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2, he has been out of the lineup virtually the entire time, barring a one-week showing that further reaggravated his injury.
In the meantime, Jones has put up excellent numbers, ranking 13th on PFSN’s QB Impact, as San Francisco has continued to hover around the playoff picture. But the team needs its starting quarterback back sooner rather than later.
And, there was a possibility that Week 10 against the Los Angeles Rams could have been that opportunity. Over the last few weeks, the former Pro Bowler has been practicing, albeit in a limited capacity, in the lead-up to games.
After the loss, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed, “He could have gone [as the No. 2], definitely. I just decided to hold him up in that situation.” Â However, he also confirmed that it was hard to imagine a scenario where Purdy would be fully healthy this year.
“It depends on how close to 100 percent he gets,” Shanahan said. “Our dilemma, or what we’re trying not to do, is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville six weeks ago.” But all hope isn’t lost for the San Francisco fan base.
Instead, as Ian Rapoport confirmed on X directly from Shanahan, “I do believe he’s closer and further along than what he was at that time. Hopefully he’ll have a chance this week.” So far, Jones has done an admirable job of filling in for Purdy.
But for a team trying to get back to the playoffs, which currently sits as the eighth-seed in the conference and third in the division, time is of the essence.
