T
he San Francisco 49ers are rolling to begin the 2025 NFL season. Sitting at 4-1 and holding sole possession of first place in the NFC West, the 49ers are also one of the best teams in the entire league, earning a major boost of momentum with an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in week five on Thursday Night Football. Entering this season with lower expectations than in years past, the 49ers have shattered expectations thus far en route to their early season success.
But what is most impressive about the 49ers’ hot start is the amount of injuries that they have dealt with early on, particularly to several key starters. Most notably, quarterback Brock Purdy has missed a few games already this season due to a toe injury he suffered in week one. Out for week five, the 49ers earned the win with backup Mac Jones under center. And in a new report, it looks like Jones could get another chance to start in week six. According to NFL Insider, Dan Graziano, Purdy playing in week six against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be a surprise.
Graziano’s Report
The 49ers first injury report of the week did not come out until Wednesday, Oct. 8, but in a bonus practice that the team held on Monday, Oct. 6, there was no sign of Purdy. And according to Graziano, fans should not expect a lot of changes regarding Purdy’s status for this week’s game.
“Neither Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring) nor 49ers QB Brock Purdy (toe) have been ruled out for their respective teams’ Week 6 games, and Jackson in particular has been lobbying to get back on the field before it gets too late for the 1-4 Ravens,” Graziano said. “But after checking in on both of those situations early in the week, I’d be surprised if either plays in Week 6.”
“Baltimore is off in Week 7 and could seize the opportunity to give Jackson another couple of weeks to heal,” Graziano added. “The Niners brought Purdy back from the injury in Week 4 and he had a setback, so they’ll likely be more cautious this time, especially with backup Mac Jones playing so well.”
After getting hurt in week one, the initial diagnosis for Purdy was that he would miss between two and five weeks. But after coming back against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week four and suffering a setback, the 49ers want to make sure that Purdy is fully healed before he returns to play. But, he has not been placed on the injured reserve yet, suggesting that his injury truly is week-to-week.
The 49ers Outlook for Week Six
Jones has been playing very well and gives the 49ers a cushion while they wait for Purdy to recover. And it also helps that the 49ers will play a Bucs teams that is as beat up as they are. Missing star running back Bucky Irving this week as he recovers from foot and shoulder injuries, the Bucs could also be without wide receiver Mike Evans for another week. Evans has not played since week three after suffering a hamstring injury. Defensively, the Buccaneers are already without cornerback Jamel Dean, while other starter Zyon McCollum was spotted with a sling at Wednesday’s practice, putting his status for this weekend in doubt.
The 49ers could be getting some players back such as Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and possibly safety Malik Mustapha. If the 49ers can go into week six as healthy as possible, then expect them to take full advantage of playing a team that has its own injury issues.
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