For the second straight season, the injury bug has hit the San Francisco 49ers pretty hard. While they eventually succumbed to their injuries last year, this time around, the Niners have managed to weather the storm, winning each of their first three games despite being shorthanded for every contest. However, ahead of Week 4, it seems like some reinforcements may be on the way.
Perhaps the most noteworthy injury the Niners are dealing with is at quarterback, where Brock Purdy has missed the past two games with toe and shoulder injuries. While Mac Jones has filled in valiantly, he will return to the bench once Purdy is healthy, and it seems like that time may be right around the corner if NFL insider Ian Rapoport is to be believed.
Ian Rapoport Offers Encouraging Brock Purdy Injury Update
In Week 1, Purdy led the 49ers to a thrilling comeback win over the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 17 yards on five carries. Along the way, though, he suffered a turf toe injury and a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, which resulted in him missing the past two games.
Purdy returned to practice last week and seemed to have an outside shot at playing against the Arizona Cardinals, but Jones got the start instead and led the Niners to another late win. However, Jones picked up an injury himself, as he revealed after the game that he aggravated a PCL sprain in his knee, which has thrown his own status for Week 4 up in the air.
In a perfect world, it won’t matter because Purdy will be ready to make his return to the field for San Francisco. And according to Rapoport, that very well could be a possibility. While the Niners are going to see how Purdy looks at practice throughout the week, if he’s able to get through the week without suffering a setback, he could be back in action for his team on Sunday afternoon.
“Because of it being his second week at practice, and because of him basically getting to a point where he has kind of reached the zone of where he might be able to play, it certainly seems like he’s got a real chance to be back on the field for the 49ers,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football.” “Certainly, something to keep an eye on, but I would say some positivity there.”
Will Brock Purdy Play for the 49ers in Week 4?
Steph Chambers/GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 07: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Lumen Field on September 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The 49ers find themselves in an interesting spot when it comes to Purdy’s injury. It’s still early in the season, so the team would obviously rather not rush him back into action if he isn’t ready, as there’s still a lot of football left to play this season. The team has managed to stay afloat without him, as Jones has played well under center. However, he’s dealing with his own injury issues now, too, so San Fran may have no choice but to play Purdy if he’s ready to go.
Furthermore, the NFC West division is loaded, as every team behind San Francisco has a 2-1 record currently, meaning their margin for error is slim, even with their 3-0 start. The 49ers are simply going to have to keep on winning if they want to remain at the top of their division, and they will have a great shot to earn their fourth straight win in Week 4 when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Whether or not Purdy will be under center, though, remains to be seen.
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