Brock Purdy looked unstoppable during training camp, commanding the huddle with confidence after signing his massive extension. Then Week 1 happened, and by Sunday’s fourth quarter, that same quarterback was limping off the field with a toe injury that would change everything about the 49ers’ early-season plans.
How Long Will Brock Purdy’s Toe Injury Keep Him Sidelined?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Thursday that Purdy won’t play in Week 2 against the Saints. Purdy left Week 1’s win over Seattle banged up, dealing with a left shoulder issue and what doctors call a “turf toe variant.”
From The Insiders: #49ers QB Brock Purdy is out 2-5 weeks with a turf toe-like injury. What now? pic.twitter.com/DwkoKxFrS8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
While the shoulder isn’t as worrisome, the toe injury is more serious. On Friday, Shanahan confirmed that the team expects Purdy to miss two to three weeks with his injury.
This timeline means Purdy could miss games against New Orleans, Arizona, Jacksonville, and potentially the Los Angeles Rams. For a team that finally thought it was turning the page on injuries, this represents a gut punch to their championship aspirations.
The injury occurred during the second quarter when Purdy scrambled and was tackled by safety Julian Love near the sideline. Despite the pain, Purdy continued playing, throwing two interceptions while clearly compromised.
What Can Mac Jones Bring to the 49ers’ Offense?
That means the San Francisco 49ers are turning to Mac Jones. The former Patriots first-round pick, who signed with San Francisco this offseason, will get the 50th start of his NFL career on Sunday. Shanahan reportedly liked Jones back during the 2021 draft, and now he finally gets the chance to coach him.
For Jones, this represents a golden opportunity to prove he still belongs as a starting quarterback in the league. After an up-and-down run in New England and a stint in Jacksonville, where he posted a 2-5 record in seven starts, Jones needs to show he can succeed in Shanahan’s system.
The 27-year-old brings four years of NFL experience, including a Pro Bowl rookie season where he threw for 3,801 yards.
How Do the 49ers Replace George Kittle and Other Key Players?
Tight end George Kittle, one of the team’s emotional leaders, is set to miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The six-time Pro Bowler sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and won’t be eligible to return until October 12 against Tampa Bay.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also dealing with a shoulder issue and is listed as day-to-day. Although follow-up scans showed no serious damage, Jennings missed back-to-back practices. His Week 2 availability remains in doubt, leaving the 49ers’ passing game thinner than anticipated.
That puts the spotlight squarely on the run game. Christian McCaffrey, who always seems to rise to the occasion, will likely carry a heavy load as San Francisco tries to grind out wins until their stars get healthy.
For fans, it feels like déjà vu all over again. The 49ers have been through this injury carousel before – too many times in recent seasons. Purdy’s rise from “Mr. Irrelevant” to franchise quarterback was supposed to stabilize things, but now his health is once again at the center of the story.
How long he’s out could determine not just the next few weeks, but the entire course of the 2025-26 season.
