Mac Jones and the 49ers' Quarterback Dilemma Heading into Week 6
The San Francisco 49ers won’t have starting quarterback Brock Purdy available for Sunday, and their backup’s status is suddenly in doubt as well.
Yet, Mac Jones detailed what he is going through to get ready to play and what the Niners’ plan is to get him ready for their showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida.
Brock Purdy has not practiced this week yet is on the injury report as questionable. It’s likely Jones will be the starter for the second straight week — and fourth time this season.
Mac Jones Is Working Hard To Play In Tampa
The 49ers (4-1) are 3-0 with Jones as their starter this season, and it’s no stretch to say he has kept them afloat over their first five weeks. Jones has a 66.7 completion percentage, a 99.1 quarterback rating and 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his outings.
Yet, even despite the mini-bye after the Niners’ 26-21 overtime road win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, Jones is being listed as questionable with an oblique injury after his limited practice Wednesday.
“I’ve been getting treatment every day,” Jones said Wednesday. “Trying to do everything I can — sleep, eat, do the little things — and everyone else is doing the same thing so that’s NFL football.”
Jones confirmed he was injured on the Niners’ final offensive play — when he was hit by Byron Young on a third-down incompletion. Eddy Pineiro kicked the go-ahead, 41-yard field goal, and the Niners stopped the Rams to end the game.
“That was the last snap, so I guess I didn’t have to find out [if he could play through the pain],” Jones said. “We’ve got a plan in place and just gotta work through it and make sure you can protect yourself.”
When pressed to offer more specifics, Jones said he was trying to spare his aching body during practice so he could air it out Sunday.
“I was trying to save some throws,” Jones said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got to be ready for Sunday, and we’ve got a plan. So I’m taking it day by day.”
Adrian Martinez Would Start If Mac Jones Can’t Play
Fans of the 49ers know they have been ravaged by injuries this season. They likely don’t want to even think of a world where San Francisco has to go into Tampa — against the 4-1, NFC South-leading Bucs — without at least Jones playing.
But rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez is in line to make his NFL debut if both Purdy and Jones can’t play Sunday — or if Jones sustains an injury against the Bucs.
But Jones feels he has the perfect skillset and demeanor to step right in and play.
“I think he’s really cool,” Jones said. “Just a laid-back dude. Doesn’t let a lot get to him.”
Though Martinez has never taken the field in the NFL, he will turn 26 in January and is no stranger to pressure. He played his first four seasons at Nebraska — while feeling the weight of trying to guide that program back to prominence — before playing his COVID year at Kansas State.
“I feel like he’s had an interesting journey,” Jones said. “He’s the same guy every day, and those are the guys you want in your quarterback room.”
Jayden Daniels Opens Up About Luke McCaffrey’s Rise to Prominence
With Terry McLaurin's return in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears hanging in the balance, the Washington Commanders could be relying on Luke McCaffrey to provide a big-play threat once again. And based on how the wide receiver has performed in recent weeks, he'll be more than ready for the moment.
McCaffrey's silent resurgence this season is among the most significant positives to take from the first five games. The No. 100 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has become more influential in the passing game. He's also among the league's most prolific kick returners to further raise his influence when the team needed him most.
Bringing in a deep ball from Jayden Daniels for a massive gain against the Los Angeles Chargers proved just how far he's come in a short space of time. It also showed that despite skepticism, his No. 1 quarterback trusts him completely.
Jayden Daniels credits Luke McCaffrey's work ethic for early-season breakout
Daniels lifted the lid on the secrets behind McCaffrey's breakout. His draft classmate believes the hard work put in during the offseason is paying off. The signal-caller also felt that his commitment to route enhancements and his willingness to think outside the box were yielding the desired results.
More definitive, getting in out his break, timing purposes also. He's been doing a great job of really honing on his own skills and getting better and finding different ways to get better. He also sees it through the eyes of a QB, so that's another good thing for him. And he puts in the work man, he put in the work this offseason, it's showing off, he's making big plays when we need him to.Jayden Daniels via Commanders.com
McCaffrey's influence is growing when most thought he would be on the fringes this season. Injuries have played a role, but the player's tireless commitment to progressing behind the scenes made sure he was ready when his time came.
It's also worth noting that McCaffrey is still in the process of learning the position. He played quarterback at Rice until his final two years of college, so this is only his fourth season playing the spot. He could only be scratching the surface of what he's capable of, and momentum is clearly on the wideout's side.
Professionalism. Purpose. Dedication. Those three words can best describe McCaffrey's rise to prominence. More importantly, he's gaining self-confidence and earning the trust of coaches and teammates alike. If he maintains these newfound standards, the second-year pro could emerge as an integral part of the team's long-term plans.
That's a win-win for everybody.
