The return of quarterback Brock Purdy gave the San Francisco 49ers some flexibility at the position and made third-year quarterback Adrian Martinez expendable.
San Francisco waived Martinez on Saturday as part of their roster moves ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. With Purdy back in the starting role, Mac Jones moved back to the backup spot Martinez had occupied since Purdy went down with a toe injury.
While the 49ers waived Martinez to make room for defensive end Clelin Ferrell, they’re not planning on Martinez being gone long according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan on Monday in a conference call said Martinez was an option to return to the practice squad. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport later reported Martinez would be rejoining the 49ers.
It makes sense the 49ers wouldn’t want to soak up three roster spots with quarterbacks given their injury problems at other positions. However, it also makes sense that they’d want Martinez back in their building.
Purdy’s toe injury is a bit precarious and there’s no guarantee he’ll be healthy the rest of the way. If Purdy does have to miss any more time, the 49ers would have an in-house option to bring up to the active roster who has been with the club instead of scrambling to find a player on short notice.
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