SANTA CLARA, Calif. – For the second week in a row and the fourth time in the first six games Mac Jones he is expected to start at quarterback San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Jones has been limited in practice all week with left knee and oblique ailments and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Despite this, he plans to start against Tampa Bay Buccaneersas coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR radio Thursday.
“Almost already there [said he will play]”,” Shanahan said Friday, referring to his radio interview. “But if there's any doubt, say so. … It's all on the record. I don't think I'll have to repeat my answer.”
Jones made his fourth start as a starting cornerback. Brock Purdy continues to battle a toe injury he suffered in week one and worsened in week four. Purdy did not practice this week and was officially ruled out Friday.
Jones didn't take any strenuous throws in Thursday's practice, saying later that he was “saving” throws to better prepare for Sunday's game. However, he made a few shots on Friday.
Jones expressed confidence that he can play against the Bucs, but admitted that a lot will depend on how the rest of the week goes.
Jones' knee injury occurred in a preseason game against Las Vegas Raidersand although he recovered, in the third week he made things worse against Arizona Cardinals. He then flexed his strength during San Francisco's final offensive drive against the Rams.
But Jones and the Niners had a few extra days to recover from Thursday night's game and then came up with a plan to limit his workload this week with an eye toward having him available in Tampa for the 4-1 NFC clash.
“I think if you can protect yourself, you should go out and play,” Jones said. “A lot of guys have to work at things. This is the NFL, and I realized you just have to go out there, protect yourself and play… You can be tough, have a good attitude and work on mental and physical issues, and that's all you can really ask for.”
Just like last week against the Rams, Jones and the Niners' offense will enter this game with a solid group of pass catchers available at tight end and wide receiver.
This is because it is wide Ricky Pearsall will miss his second straight game with a right knee injury. Jauan Jennings is considered more of a game-time decision as he practiced limited on Thursday and Friday due to rib and ankle injuries.
Besides Piersall and possibly Jennings, the 49ers are still without a tight end. George Kittle (hamstring) and receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jordan Watkins (calf).
As such, the Niners are expected to turn to the wide receiver group again. Kendrick Bourne And Demarcus Robinson and narrow ends Jake Tonjes And Luke Farrell to fill the void.
Against the Rams, Bourne was Jones' top target, posting a career-high 142 yards on 10 receptions.
“He's getting better every week,” offensive coordinator Clay Kubiak said. “He's a gamer. You see a guy who's still learning how to understand our offense schematically, but he's getting better every week. He's so great to be around because he's all in. He's got a great attitude. He's working on it. I think he's a guy the more he's out there, the more he's going to help us. And we're really happy with what he's done and we hope he can continue to do it.”
Elsewhere on the injury report: Rookie defensive tackle. Alfred Collins He was listed as questionable due to a knee injury he suffered against the Rams. Collins did not practice Wednesday but participated Thursday and Friday. Cornerback Upton Stoutsafety Malik Mustafa and protective gear Kalia Davis are also doubtful.
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens (chest) and linesman Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) were also excluded.
