Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is slated to get his third starting opportunity of the season, with the San Francisco 49ers announcing on Wednesday that quarterback Brock Purdy (toe injury) will not play against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
The #49ers have ruled QB Brock Purdy out vs. the #Rams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2025
In addition to Purdy, wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are also out on Thursday against the Rams. With Purdy’s toe injury sidelining him for a third game, former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is slated to start his third game of the season with the 49ers.
“49ers QB Mac Jones now is expected to make his third start of this season. His top targets will include WRs Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson, and TE Jake Tonges.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025
Jones has made two previous starts this season, defeating the Saints 26-21 and the Cardinals 16-15 to have a 2-0 record as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.
Through his two starts on the season, Jones has completed 66.3% of his passes for 563 yards and four touchdowns. He has a QBR of 62.4, good for 14th in the NFL, and a quarterback rating of 98.1.
Jones, who is in his fifth NFL season and playing for his third team, was a first-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2021 NFL draft. Throughout his career so far, he’s completed 65.9% of his passes for 11,153 yards and 58 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 424 yards and two touchdowns.
During his time at Alabama, Jones started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2020, leading Alabama to a perfect 13-0 record as Alabama claimed the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship – the final one of Nick Saban’s career. During the 2020 season, he completed 77.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. He contributed 14 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Jones finished third in the 2020 Heisman Trophy race behind winner DeVonta Smith. He was voted a Consensus All-American and named the winner of the 2020 Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Manning Awards.
The 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, October 2, at 7:15 p.m. CT.