The 49ers have broken with protocol that they’ve had in recent seasons in only carrying two quarterbacks here in 2025, though the results have not been so bad. Starter Brock Purdy split the two games he has appeared in this year, but he has been set back by injuries, first to his shoulder and now his toe. But backup Mac Jones has thrived with him out, going 5-3 in eight starts.
Quarterback Adrian Martinez had been bumped to the No. 2 role with Purdy out, elevated from the practice squad. Martinez, in his first year in San Francisco after spending last year as a reserve for the Jets, took just one snap–a kneel-down in a blowout win over the Giants two weeks ago–but it went down as his NFL debut nonetheless.
Now, though, with Purdy coming back to start Week 11, Jones will return to the No. 2 role. And the 49ers are not keeping three QBs this time around, as they brought back old friend defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell for the key game against the Cardinals. The 49ers announced they’re waiving Martinez in a corresponding move.
49ers Add 2 From Practice Squad
Ferrell had been on the 49ers practice squad, and had been a 17-game starter on the defensive front for the 2023 49ers Super Bowl team. He left for the Commanders the following year, and was cut by Washington at the end of training camp. He bounced from the Rams back to San Francisco this season.
The 49ers are also elevating cornerback Eli Apple off the practice squad. Apple is an eight-year veteran who played three special teams snaps for the 49ers this season, back in Week 4. He could see some reps in place of Deommodore Lenoir, who has been struggling with a calf injury and is questionable for Sunday.
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)Adrian Martinez #4 of the San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy Return Well-Timed for 49ers Run
As for Purdy, the hope is that the 49ers are getting him back at just the right time to go on a bit of a run to keep up with the Seahawks and Rams in the NFC West. In the next five weeks, the 49ers have games against four teams with records of a combined 11-26, plus the bye week, and would very much like to (and should) emerge with a 10-4 mark at the end of it all.
In the meantime, L.A. and Seattle will have to play each other twice.
Brock Purdy Had Been ‘Frustrated’
Purdy, though, is not thinking that far ahead. He’s been frustrated with the injuries this season, and will just be happy to be back on the field for the 49ers in Week 11.
“It’s been frustrating, obviously. Going into year four, I wanted to come in and play my best ball so far in my career and was really excited about it,” Purdy said. “We come in, play Seattle and win on the road and just feeling really good about the year and then all of a sudden, like, I’m just dealing with the toe thing and it has been frustrating. …
“But, at the same time, this is just the cards that I’ve been dealt with and I’m not trying to be, ‘woe was me,’ kind of thing. We still have seven games here to go and put something together and our goals are right in front of us. So, that’s how I’m looking at it. I’m excited about it.”
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