Mac Jones to start Week 10 in latest Niners injury-related drama
Every week, it seems to be something injury-related out in the Bay Area. Whether it’s somebody preparing to miss a lot of time, a “will he” or “won’t he” gametime decision, or questions on timetables for return, the 49ers have provided headlines all season. The latest such headline pertains to the middle option as a questionable Brock Purdy will watch Mac Jones start for the sixth week in a row, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
It’s become a weekly post with Purdy, who has been on the team’s injury report every week since he was hurt in the season opener. The 25-year-old has been getting closer and closer to coming back, and head coach Kyle Shanahan communicated that he could still be active as a backup to Jones. Third-string passer Adrian Martinez was signed from the practice squad to the active roster back in October as Purdy was nearing a return back then, so with three quarterbacks on the 53-man Purdy could either be a primary backup or an emergency third option.
The quarterback role we do know, though, will be Jones, who will start under center for the eighth time this year. After winning his first three starts as an injury replacement, Jones has cooled off, alternating losses and wins since then. Despite a largely injured supporting cast around him, Jones is averaging a career-high 261.7 passing yards per game while also sporting the best touchdown:interception ratio (10:5) of his career. He’ll be looking to buck the trend of alternating finishes after beating the Giants last week.
On player we know won’t be out there is wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The second-year pass-catcher has been missing since Week 4 and is about to miss his sixth game in a row. Asked about what’s holding Pearsall from being able to play, Shanahan told the media that “he hasn’t been able to his normal speeds that would allow him to come back,” per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Reporters noted the young wideout had been sighted doing sprits at practices and shooting jump shots in the locker room, but Shanahan was adamant that the team is waiting for Pearsall to be able to hit his old marks.
Pearsall isn’t the only receiver unavailable this week. Veteran wideout Brandon Aiyuk remains on the reserve/PUP list 10 weeks into the season. November was offered up last month as a potential return window for the 27-year-old receiver. It’s now been over a year since Aiyuk has appeared in a game, and each week expectations for Aiyuk’s 21-day practice window to be opened are unrealized. Shanahan continues to seem vaguely optimistic, with Vic Tafur of The Athletic quoting him as “pretty confident” that Aiyuk will be back sometime this season.
Given the extended absences of players like Purdy and Pearsall, among some others, there have been questions on why players missing so much time weren’t put on injured reserve. According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the primary reason is simply that they didn’t expect each player to be out for so long. Additionally, while the NFL has implemented the current system wherein teams can bring players back from IR, each team is only given eight such activations.
Lucky teams can put players with minor injuries on IR and activate them four weeks later just to manipulate roster numbers. With so many injuries week in and week out, the 49ers likely would’ve loved to place guys on IR so they could add healthy reinforcements to the roster. Knowing how many impact players they had already place on IR, though, San Francisco needed to be weary of how it would be able to utilize its limited activations.
One player that did land on IR recently was edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos. Gross-Matos had been out since Week 5 and was expected to make a return soon. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old defender strained his hamstring again near the end of last week, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. While it will take Gross-Matos some time to work his way back from the injury, Shanahan doesn’t believe he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
BREAKING: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels Dodges Major Injury Scare; No Surgery Needed
In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels has avoided a potentially season-ending injury after an MRI revealed no ligament damage to his elbow. The news comes as a relief to Commanders fans, who were left holding their breath after concerns surrounding Daniels’ condition emerged following their Week 9 clash.
The young star has been a key figure in Washington's offensive scheme this season, showcasing poise and skill under center. After Daniels' elbow injury, fears of a serious setback spread quickly across the NFL. However, Ian Rapoport, the trusted NFL insider, reported that the MRI results came back clean, revealing no major ligament damage and confirming that surgery would not be necessary.
This marks a major sigh of relief for the Commanders and their coaching staff, who had been bracing for the possibility of a longer-term absence from Daniels. The quarterback’s ability to avoid a major surgery and continue playing without being placed on injured reserve is a massive win for the franchise as they remain in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
While the exact timeline for Daniels' return remains uncertain, the team’s medical staff is optimistic that he will be back to full health without the need for further intervention. It’s unclear when exactly he will return to full action, but reports suggest that he will be available for upcoming games, sparing the Commanders from what could have been a devastating loss.
The positive news surrounding Daniels' recovery comes at a critical point in the season for Washington. The team has shown promising signs of growth with Daniels leading the offense, and his absence could have been a massive blow to their playoff aspirations. The quarterback’s ability to play through this injury will play a major role in their ability to push through the second half of the season.
Daniels' Resilience and Washington’s Playoff Hopes
Daniels, whose strong performances have helped elevate the Commanders' offensive output this season, now has the chance to continue proving himself as the team’s future leader. Washington’s offense has looked revitalized under his guidance, with the young signal-caller demonstrating an impressive command of the field and a knack for making crucial throws in clutch situations.
The Commanders are hoping Daniels can shake off any lingering effects from the injury and maintain his high level of play as they move forward. The team will be closely monitoring his recovery, ensuring he doesn’t push himself too hard too soon, with the hope that he can continue to lead them through what promises to be a grueling remainder of the season.
This injury scare serves as a reminder of how fragile the game can be, and the importance of having depth at key positions. For now, the Commanders are fortunate to have avoided a worst-case scenario, but they will continue to rely on their medical staff and training staff to help Daniels get back to full strength as quickly as possible.
As Washington moves forward, they’ll do so with the knowledge that their quarterback is resilient and ready to lead them towards the postseason, keeping their playoff dreams alive and well. For now, it’s all about keeping Daniels healthy and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Commanders Fans Celebrate the News
Commanders fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief as their team's playoff hopes remain intact. With the NFL season in full swing and teams jockeying for position, Jayden Daniels’ clean bill of health is the kind of break Washington needed to stay competitive. The road ahead will still be challenging, but with Daniels at the helm, the Commanders remain in good hands.
