For the fifth week in a row, Mac Jones will start for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday when they take on the New York Giants. Brock Purdy, who before the season signed a mega contract with San Francisco to keep the former Mr. Irrelevant as the team’s franchise pillar for the foreseeable future, will suit up but be questionable with a toe injury that has plagued him throughout the 2025 season.

While head coach Kyle Shanahan believes Purdy is on the right track to play soon and could even see time on Sunday, depending on how the Giants game on the road shakes out, he won’t push Purdy to play before he’s ready. Purdy attempted to come back earlier in the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and wasn’t up to his usual standard, throwing two interceptions in a loss.

Jones, as the team starter, has gone 4-2 but begun to struggle in recent weeks. His first few performances resembled his peak in New England, throwing six touchdowns to only a single interception in wins over New Orleans, Arizona, and the Los Angeles Rams. The most recent trio of games has looked more like the reason the Patriots moved away from Jones as their franchise guy: he’s regressed back to the norm and struggled. In those three games, the 49ers are 1-2, and Jones has only thrown for two touchdowns, along with giving away the ball four times through the air.

At 5-3, the 49ers should feel confident about their playoff chances, but this year’s NFC West is as combative as ever. The Rams and Seahawks both sit above the Niners with a 5-2 record, and if San Francisco wants a shot at the division, they can’t be losing games to a 2-6 Giants squad dealing with similar injury woes.

We will keep you updated on Purdy’s toe injury and whether his status is upgraded or downgraded before Sunday’s game.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Mac Jones to start for 49ers, Purdy chance to backup vs. Giants

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect