The 49ers have been decimated by injuries this season — and yet, they sit at 6-4 in the thick of the NFC wild-card race.
A big reason for that is the play of one of their many replacements, quarterback Mac Jones , who has filled in well for the sidelined Brock Purdy .
That has raised speculation about whether Jones deserves the job full-time when Purdy inevitably returns from a toe injury.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan isn't buying into the idea.
Mac Jones has played well since taking over as the 49ers' starting quarterback. Getty Images
"It's not a hard decision," Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday. "It's just more about Brock's health. It's been awesome how Mac has played. He has been great. But, we've got a lot of confidence in Brock and we know Brock will play at a high level too as long as he's healthy."
Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension in the offseason , initially suffered the turf toe injury in a Week 1 win over the Seahawks before sitting out the next two games.
He returned for a Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, but the injury was still bothering him.
Six weeks later, the 25-year-old Purdy remains out as he rehabs his way back onto the field.
"Any time a backup quarterback comes in and plays good, that's all anyone talks about," Shanahan said of the burgeoning controversy. "I don't think anyone talks about what people have done in the past, whether it's Brock or whether it's anybody. That's just how the world works with media or anybody. So, I don't look too much into that stuff at all."
Brock Purdy has only played in two games this season. AP
The 49ers are 5-3 in Jones' eight starts, with the former Alabama star throwing for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns against six interceptions.
Shanahan is remaining loyal, though, to the quarterback who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl two seasons ago — falling to the Chiefs in overtime.
"We all know how good Brock has played in the past. I think he played really good versus Seattle , and I think he struggled vs. Jacksonville , which is why we shouldn't have brought him back then," Shanahan said. "And I know when Brock comes back, he will play the same way he always has – like a very high-level quarterback."
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Jones, 27, looked like the heir apparent to Tom Brady in his rookie season, leading the Patriots to the playoffs. But then his career spiraled in New England , and he was benched and then traded to the Jaguars after three seasons.
He signed a two-year, $7 million deal in the offseason with the 49ers and has established himself, at worst, as a high-level backup in Shanahan's quarterback-friendly system.
Kyle Shanahan is sticking with Brock Purdy at quarterback. AP
Purdy's injury is one of many for the 49ers.
San Francisco has lost star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season, tight end George Kittle missed significant time and receiver Brandon Aiyuk has yet to suit up.
The 49ers look to stay in playoff contention with Jones when they travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals on Sunday.
