The San Francisco 49ers left Seattle with a win, but they also left with more than one concerning injury.
After placing TE George Kittle (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that QB Brock Purdy is a “long shot” to play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Purdy is dealing with a left shoulder injury, but it’s a toe injury that will most likely keep him sidelined on Sunday.
“I think [the injury] happened scrambling,” Shanahan said. “I think when [Seattle Seahawks S Julian] Love tackled him by the sideline, I believe it happened.”
If Purdy indeed can’t go, the 49ers will turn to QB2 Mac Jones, who they signed this offseason to a two-year, $8.41 million contract. Jones was selected 15th overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.
“[Mac] can play well in the pocket, distributes the ball well, sees coverage well, can play fast in there,” Shanahan said. “He’s got a lot of good film from the NFL with the experience and obviously college. Tough guy who will hang in there and deliver the ball where it needs to go.”
In his four-year career – two with New England and two with the Jacksonville Jaguars – he has started 49 games and appeared in a total of 54 games. He has thrown 54 touchdowns and 44 interceptions.
Shanahan said “it’s possible” Purdy will miss multiple weeks, meaning QB2 could be QB1 for a minute.
“[Purdy and Jones] are real similar in terms of how they play the game,” Shanahan said. “They’re both extremely tough. They both can distribute the ball. I don’t know who has a faster 40, Brock could say he’s a little bit better of a scrambler. But they’re close to similar.”