The San Francisco 49ers’ injury list grew this week, leaving their offense severely depleted for Thursday night’s divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams. On Wednesday, the team confirmed quarterback Brock Purdy and three receivers will be out, compounding existing losses.
Purdy (toe), Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle), Ricky Pearsall (knee), and Jordan Watkins (calf) are all out. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) remain sidelined. Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) is also unavailable, while CJ West (thumb) is questionable.
Purdy had expressed cautious optimism earlier in the week that he could fight through his injury, but the short turnaround proved prohibitive. “With a quick turnaround with a Thursday night game and everything, it’s just tougher,” Purdy said Tuesday. “You don’t have as many days to get right and heal up and feel better.”
The 25-year-old quarterback aggravated turf toe in last week’s loss to Jacksonville, leaving the team once again scrambling at the position. Purdy has been listed as “week to week,” and his status for Week 6 against Tampa Bay is unknown.
In his place, veteran Mac Jones is set to make his third start of the season. Jones previously guided the 49ers to victories over the Saints and Cardinals in Weeks 2 and 3, though he emerged from the latter game with a knee sprain. He was not listed on this week’s injury report, a sign he is close to full strength. “Just day-by-day getting better,” Jones said. “At the end of the day, you just have to ask yourself if you can protect yourself in the game, and I felt good to go.”
Jones faces a daunting challenge against a Rams defense ranked ninth in yards allowed per game (284.5), tied for second in sacks (14), and fifth in defensive expected points added. The primary matchup to watch will be Jones and the depleted 49ers’ offensive line contending with Aaron Donald and the Rams’ aggressive pass rush. On the outside, San Francisco’s backup receivers, likely led by Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne, will be tested by Rams cornerbacks, while tight end replacements Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges must try to exploit mismatches against Rams linebackers. Jones acknowledged the complexity: “There’s always 11 guys on the screen, and they have a great defensive line. They play a lot of different schemes. They do a lot of stuff, but do it well. So, it’s going to be a challenge.”
San Francisco’s active receiving corps is reduced to Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Practice squad candidates Russell Gage Jr. and Malik Turner may be elevated to fill the gaps, though roster constraints could limit how many reinforcements are available.
Pearsall aggravated his knee and Jennings re-injured his ribs in the Jacksonville game, leaving Robinson and Bourne to start at receiver. Farrell and Tonges could fill in at tight end.
The offense is already straining without Kittle and Aiyuk, and San Francisco’s margin for error has tightened significantly. One key battle will be the 49ers’ makeshift receiving corps trying to gain separation from the Rams’ defensive backs. Meanwhile, the Rams’ defensive front, spearheaded by Aaron Donald, will look to exploit vulnerabilities in the 49ers’ offensive line and disrupt Jones’ timing. These head-to-head matchups will likely determine whether San Francisco can establish any offensive rhythm.
The 49ers will benefit from a mini-bye after Thursday’s contest before heading to Tampa Bay in Week 6. That short rest could be pivotal in restoring health, though Purdy’s recovery is still uncertain.
For now, the 49ers have no choice but to lean on Jones’ veteran poise and their battered reserves. Thursday night’s clash with the Rams is not just a divisional test — it’s a make-or-break moment for San Francisco’s depth and adaptability under relentless early-season adversity.
