SANTA CLARA – It’s been far longer than a New York minute since Brock Purdy quarterbacked the 49ers.
His hiatus could extend to five straight games if he’s not cleared for this Sunday’s game against the host Giants.
“A lot of it at this point is going to be on trusting Brock and where he’s at,” general manager John Lynch said Thursday on KNBR 680-AM. “He continues to feel better and ramp up what he’s doing on the field.”
Mac Jones, despite bearing a “knee, knee” designation on the injury report, is in line to again start if the 49ers (5-3) safely stash Purdy away from MetLife Stadium’s ever-suspect artificial surface.
“This is a big week for us,” Jones said. “You look at your record: you win and you’re in a good spot, you lose and you’re not in as good of a spot. We know that. You’re trying to win every week. I definitely feel we can do it and we have to go out and execute.”
Purdy looks OK while remaining limited in practice for a third straight week, all part of the rehabilitation process after aggravating his right big toe in a failed Week 4 return against Jacksonville.
“It’s not as black and white as you guys want it to be,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday about Purdy’s status, which he described as a “sensitive situation” contingent on this week’s practice outcome.
“By the end of this week, we’ll make a decision on who that guy is going to be,” Lynch added.
Jones is 4-2 as the 49ers’ fill-in starter. He hasn’t passed for over 200 yards in either of the past two games, and while that wasn’t necessary in a run-oriented win Oct. 19 over Atlanta, the 49ers’ offense was ghastly slow out the gate with just 5 minutes of possession in last Sunday’s first half en route to a 26-15 loss at Houston.
Giants’ defensive linemen Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter won’t make it easy on the 49ers’ passing attack, to which Jones noted: “It’s definitely going to be a challenge and we have to be ready to go.”
Jones is sporting a brace on the left knee he hurt 2 1/2 months ago. He did not look hindered by a right-knee issue during the media’s practice access.
WHITE TRADE
Lynch, once the parameters of a trade were in place, conferred with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel to gauge why White didn’t fit New England’s system and how he might impact the 49ers’ locker room culture. “He didn’t quite fit with what they were doing. He wasn’t playing as much this year,” Lynch said. “But our analytics liked him. You bring it downstairs to our coaches and they were huge fans.”
Lynch envisions White in the 49ers’ so-called “big end” role of playing on the outside in base and sliding inside on passing downs, similar to rookie Mykel Williams’ job this season and past efforts of Arden Key and Charles Omenihu. White says he’s watched those players but is more focused on his own task.
“I’m trying to do my job and earn a role,” White said. “Expectations really get you nowhere. You have to earn everything.”
White’s rookie contract runs through 2026, at a $1.8 million salary. The 49ers shipped a sixth-round pick for White and a conditional seventh-rounder. “It’s not just a rental. It’s a guy we can have as part of our program for a while,” Lynch added. “We think we can untap some of his limitless potential. We’re excited. Now Keion has to assimilate really quickly.”
PRACTICE UPDATES
Back in practice after missing Wednesday’s session were defensive linemen Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Sam Okuayinonu (ankle); linebacker Dee Winters (knee); defensive tackle Alfred Collins (shoulder); running back Christian McCaffrey (rest) and left tackle Trent Williams (rest). Still out were wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee), defensive end Bryce Huff (hamstring) and center Jake Brendel (hamstring).
PINEIRO HONORED
Kicker Eddy Piñeiro is the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, having made all 10 of his field-goal attempts and six point-after kicks. He has not missed in 17 field-goal attempts since succeeding Jake Moody in Week 2.
NO GO FOR DILLARD
Offensive tackle Andre Dillard was released a day after being signed to the practice squad in place of Brandon Parker, who promptly re-signed Thursday. Dillard missed most of training camp, practiced for three days then went on Injured Reserve to scuttle his shot at the swing-tackle role.