49ers QB Brock Purdy could return to starting role vs. Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers plan to push Brock Purdy aggressively in practice this week with the hope he will start Sunday's road game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Purdy last played in Week 4 when he aggravated a toe injury during a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He initially hurt the toe in the season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks and sat out the following two weeks.

Purdy, 25, was limited in practice Wednesday but also was taking repetitions with the first-team offense.

"If he takes a big step forward this week, like he did last week, then he should have a good chance to play," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday.

Mac Jones, 27, has started the last six games for San Francisco (6-4) while Purdy was sidelined.

Meanwhile, Purdy has been bogged down with his ailment and the 49ers considered making him the No. 2 signal caller in Week 9 against the New York Giants before leaving him inactive and going with Adrian Martinez as the backup.

The 49ers also made Purdy inactive in last weekend's 42-26 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Purdy has passed for 10,104 yards and 68 touchdowns against 31 interceptions in 42 regular-season games (38 starts) in four seasons with San Francisco. He was the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft and helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game as a rookie and the Super Bowl in the 2023 season.

Jones completed 33 of 39 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Rams.

Overall, Jones is 5-3 as the San Francisco starter.

Jones has passed for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games this season.

Also, 49ers wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) is expected to return from a six-game absence. The 2024 first-round selection has 20 receptions for 327 yards in four games this season.

--Field Level Media