Purdy, meanwhile, has already tried to return from a toe injury once but aggravated it in San Francisco’s Week 4 loss to Jacksonville, forcing backup Mac Jones back into action in Weeks 5 and 6. Jones will start in place of Purdy again at Sunday night football and pitching to a squad that hasn’t included Pearsall since the loss to the Jaguars.
This could be Purdy’s last week out. He took part in all training this week and seems to be on the right track.
“He was able to get out there, throw more,” Shanahan said of Purdy on Friday. “Thought it was definitely a step further than it was last week, so it’s going in the right direction.”
The 49ers have weathered the many injuries that have affected key players quite well through the first six weeks, posting a 4-2 record that included an upset win over the Rams and a narrow win over the Cardinals. They will hope to squeeze another win out of Jones’ latest start in front of the Nationals on Sunday night in Santa Clara.