San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sept. 28, 2025.

The Los Angeles Rams are hosting a bruised and battered San Francisco 49ers squad in a "Thursday Night Football" clash between NFC West rivals.

The 49ers are depleted on the offensive side of the ball for Thursday's game. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will miss the contest after returning from injury in Week 4 while starting receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (rib/ankle) are also poised to be out of action.

Bith George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (ACL recovery) also sidelined, 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones will have to work with a skeleton crew of weapons during the divisional battle. He figures to lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey as an outlet out of the backfield while receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Jake Tonges try to help as much as they can.

The Rams are much healthier than the 49ers and will likely lean on Puka Nacua to continue carrying their offense. The 24-year-old currently leads the league in catches (42) and receiving yards (503) and has typically performed well in "TNF" games, averaging 122.3 receiving yards on Thursday over three career games.

Like last week's Thursday night game between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, the winners will find themselves perched alone atop the NFC West for at least a few days.

USA TODAY Sports is bringing you live game updates, highlights and more. Check it out below.

Bryce Huff sacks Matthew Stafford, Rams punt

With San Francisco down edge rusher Nick Bosa for the rest of the season, the 49ers' defense is counting on other players to step up in the pass rush. Bryce Huff made a statement early with a sack on Matthew Stafford that pushed the Rams back 11 yards on 2nd and 10.

Los Angeles couldn't get the yardage back and settled for a punt. San Francisco's offense will take over again at their own 9-yard line with 6:59 to go in the first quarter.

Rams-49ers score: Mac Jones finds Jake Tonges for first TD

San Francisco used a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey to power the 49ers' opening drive; he accounted for 40 yards on five touches (two catches, three carries). But quarterback Mac Jones instead found tight end Jake Tonges wide open in the middle for a six-yard touchdown pass.

Eddy Pineiro's extra point attempt is good and the 49ers take a 7-0 lead with 10:09 to go in the first quarter.

Mac Jones starts hot

The 49ers quarterback, filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, has started the game 4-for-4 passing for 71 yards.

Rams vs. 49ers kicks off with 'dirty ball'

Los Angeles won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. Rams kicker Josh Karty's boomed a knuckleball-style kick to start the game and 49ers returner Skyy Moore fumbled it. After it bounced high in the air, Moore corralled it and the 49ers offense started its drive on their own 28 yard line.

49ers vs. Rams kickoff time

  • Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Rams will host the 49ers for a clash at SoFi Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 2. The game will begin at 5:15 p.m. local time and will mark the second consecutive week NFC West teams have faced off on "Thursday Night Football."

What channel are the 49ers on?

San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

49ers vs. Rams where to watch

Amazon Prime will broadcast the Rams vs. 49ers matchup in Week 5. The streaming giant owns the rights to the NFL's "Thursday Night Football" broadcast package and will have its typically crew of Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (game analyst) and Kaylee Hartung (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the game.

NFL fans watching the game nationally will need to have an Amazon Prime subscription to access Thursday's game. However, the NFL has an arrangement for the viewers in the local markets of each team – Los Angeles and San Francisco – to watch a simulcast of the game on local TV stations.

Below is a look at the local channels that will air the contest:

  • Los Angeles: KTTV (Fox 11)
  • San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

Watch "Thursday Night Football" with a Prime Video subscription

Jared Verse stats

The Rams pass rusher is following up a stellar rookie season with an equally impressive start to 2025. Through four games, Verse has 18 pressures, per PFF: Two sacks, five QB hits and 11 hurries. He grades out at a 91.8 overall, and his 91.5 pass-rush grade ranks No. 5 overall in the NFL (minimum 20% of 157 pass-rush snaps).

Colby Parkinson stats

Colby Parkinson's in his second season as a tight end for the Rams and had his best game of 2025 so far in Los Angeles' Week 4 win over Indianapolis. The former Seahawk caught both of his targets for 17 yards.

49ers record 2025

The 49ers are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first in the NFC West.

Rams inactives vs. 49ers

No surprises for the Rams as they enter their divisional matchup with the 49ers.

  • QB Stetson Bennett IV
  • TE Tyler Higbee
  • OL Rob Havenstein
  • OL Beaux Limmer
  • DE Desjuan Johnson

49ers inactives vs. Rams

The 49ers will be without quarterback Brock Purdy, as he continues to work his way back from a turf toe injury. Here are the rest of the inactives for the game tonight:

  • QB Brock Purdy
  • RB Jordan James
  • WR Jordan Watkins
  • WR Ricky Pearsall
  • WR Jauan Jennings
  • DL Robert Beal
  • LB Nick Martin

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers predictions, picks

All six members of USA TODAY Sports' expert picks panel believe the Rams will beat the 49ers on "TNF." Below are their projected scores for the contest:

  • Jarrett Bell: Rams 31, 49ers 24
  • Nick Brinkerhoff: Rams 27, 49ers 23
  • Chris Bumbaca: Rams 27, 49ers 18
  • Nate Davis: Rams 31, 49ers 23
  • Tyler Dragon: Rams 24, 49ers 20
  • Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams 31, 49ers 17

2025 Los Angeles Rams schedule

Los Angeles Rams record 2025

The Rams are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first place in the NFC West.

2025 San Francisco 49ers schedule

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams vs. 49ers live updates: Score, TV channel for Thursday Night Football

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, Joe Rivera and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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