Kyle Shanahan hinted that Brock Purdy “does have a chance” to play on Sunday when the 49ers face the Cardinals in their home opener.
Purdy was back at 49ers practice on Wednesday in a limited capacity, the head coach told reporters.
The 49ers quarterback has been dealing with a toe injury that kept him out of practice last week and forced him to miss San Francisco’s 26-21 win over the Saints. If Purdy is still unable to play, though, it likely means Mac Jones will take the reins for a second straight start.
But Shanahan also left the door open to Purdy being the emergency backup for the 49ers on Sunday.
Purdy played through injuries to the big toe on his right foot and his left shoulder in Week 1 against the Seahawks.
Jones earned plenty of praise for his performance last weekend, including from star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Jones completed 26 of his 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the road win in New Orleans.
“He was so poised, made some huge throws, played with so much confidence, and just did his job,” McCaffrey said, per the Mercury News. “Obviously, he made some special plays but overall, just doing your job, playing within the scheme, and making those plays outside of himself was what I saw. I’m fired up he had a great game.”
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Linebacker Fred Werner appeared on 95.7 The Game this week and complimented Jones as well, but expressed excitement to get Purdy back at some point.
“Purdy is the man. I love Purdy with everything in my soul because this guy, I believe, can be the best in the game,” Werner said. “He’s shown that already in this league in three years of playing after being drafted last in the draft.”
Sunday marks a battle of the unbeatens, with the 49ers and Cardinals entering with 2-0 records.
