Brock Purdy’s backup quarterback won’t participate in the 49ers’ preseason finale Saturday.
Mac Jones sustained a knee sprain in San Francisco’s 22-19 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders last Saturday, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday after practice.
Jones wasn’t on the field for Tuesday’s practice and will miss the rest of the week, including the team’s third and final preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
However, Shanahan said Jones should be ready to go for Week 1, when the 49ers open the 2025 NFL season in Seattle against the Seahawks on Sept. 7 at Lumen Field.
Jones’ minor injury explains San Francisco’s latest roster moves announced Tuesday morning, in which the team signed veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld to compete for the No. 3 job.
“With Mac being out, that’s why we brought in Nate, too,” Shanahan explained. “Because I know we’re going to want at least two other guys to play besides Brock [Purdy], if he does go.”
Purdy played one dominant drive against the Raiders before Jones took over the rest of the first half and into the third quarter. Jones was replaced by Carter Bradley, who now will compete with Sudfeld for that third-string role.
Shanahan said he hasn’t yet figured out the quarterback plan against Los Angeles, but said he will decide on that over the next two practices this week.
Jones, who signed a two-year contract with the 49ers in March, completed 13 of 16 passes for 125 yards with one interception and no touchdowns against the Raiders on Saturday.
The 49ers remain hopeful about his availability for the start of the 2025 season.
“We think he should be fine for Week 1,” Shanahan said of Jones. “We just know he can’t go this week.”
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