SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers are nearing a tipping point when it comes to their quarterback situation.

While Brock Purdy did not return from his right big toe injury Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams , coach Kyle Shanahan indicated for the first time since Purdy aggravated it in Week 4 that he could have been available as Mac Jones ' backup.

"He could have gone [ as the No. 2 ] , definitely," Shanahan said. "I just decided to hold him up in that situation."

That decision meant Purdy was inactive for a sixth consecutive week and Jones made his eighth start of the season. And Jones, as he has in nearly all those previous games, performed well.

After last week's win against the New York Giants , Shanahan acknowledged that Purdy likely wouldn't return to f

See Full Page