49ers get positive Brock Purdy injury update ahead of Week 3 vs Cardinals

San Francisco — Brock Purdy took part in 49ers practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, a development head coach Kyle Shanahan said could clear the way for him to return Sunday when San Francisco hosts the Arizona Cardinals in its home opener. Shanahan said Purdy "does have a chance" to play this weekend.

Purdy has been dealing with a right big 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 cannot play, Mac Jones would start for a second straight game. Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the road win in New Orleans. Christian McCaffrey praised Jones, saying, "He was so poised, made some huge throws, played with so much confidence, and just did his job," per Mercury News.

Shanahan left the door open to Purdy serving as the emergency backup on Sunday. Purdy played through injuries to the big toe on his right foot and his left shoulder in Week 1 against the Seahawks, giving San Francisco a sense of how he can push through pain when necessary. The 49ers enter Week 3 at 2-0, the same as the Cardinals, setting up a clash of unbeaten teams with significant playoff implications early in the season.

The pairing of Purdy and Jones has become a talking point in San Francisco, though the team has remained committed to Purdy as its starter when healthy. Jones’s performance in New Orleans drew praise from inside the locker room and from observers outside the organization, underscoring the depth the 49ers have built at quarterback. Jones, for his part, has shown poise and command of the offense, delivering accurate throws and making plays within the structure of the scheme.

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. The note of support for Purdy comes as the 49ers balance the need to win now with the potential for Purdy to return soon and reclaim the starting job.

Sunday marks a battle of the unbeatens, with the 49ers and Cardinals both coming in at 2-0 and eager to stake an early claim in the NFC West. San Francisco has leaned on a strong defense, a versatile run game led by Christian McCaffrey, and a passing attack that has grown more efficient with Purdy under center. If Purdy is active, the 49ers would likely deploy him as the starter, with Jones available as a trusted backup if needed.

Regardless of who takes the first snap, San Francisco faces a Cardinals team that has opened the season with back-to-back wins and will look to prove itself against a conference rival that has consistently been a thorn in the side of Arizona’s opponents in recent years. The 49ers will also be mindful that Purdy played through toe and shoulder injuries in Week 1, which could factor into a cautious, well-planned return if the doctors and coaching staff determine the risk is too high for a full-speed start. The team's medical and coaching staff are expected to provide a final update ahead of kickoff, with decisions likely to hinge on Purdy’s practice reps and the level of pain he can tolerate.

If Purdy is unable to play, Jones would be tasked with leading another high-profile, high-stakes test for a 49ers offense that has shown resilience through turnover and defensive pressure. Jones’s performance in New Orleans offered a blueprint for managing a game that balanced play action, quick decisions, and trusted targets. For Purdy, a timely return would allow San Francisco to maintain momentum and continue building chemistry with star teammates at every level of the offense. For now, the plan remains focused on Purdy's health and the team's readiness for a meaningful inter-division showdown that could set the tone for the rest of the season.