Purdy to Start for 49ers in Week 4 vs. Jaguars, Shanahan Says

San Francisco is getting its starting quarterback back this week. Brock Purdy is set to start Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium after missing two games with a turf-toe injury suffered in the season opener against Seattle. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Friday that Purdy practiced fully and that the team is confident he is ready for game action.

The move to insert Purdy back into the lineup comes as San Francisco has opened the 2025 season 3–0, though with a modest point differential of just 10 points. In Purdy’s absence, Mac Jones stepped in and delivered two straight wins, compiling 53 completions on 80 attempts for 563 yards with four touchdowns and one interception over the pair of games, good for a 98.1 passer rating. Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension this offseason, has been viewed by the organization as the long-term franchise quarterback. In the opener against Seattle, Purdy went 26 of 35 for two touchdowns and two interceptions, a performance that reflected both his talent and the offense’s evolving timing under Shanahan’s system.

Purdy’s return is framed by a practice week in which Shanahan said the quarterback was consistently sharp. Purdy reportedly looked good throughout the week, and the decision to go with him on Sunday reflects the organization’s confidence in his health and readiness. Shanahan stressed that Purdy has experience handling games with limited or even zero practice time, adding that Purdy’s work this week put him in position to start and execute the game plan effectively.

For the Week 4 matchup, the 49ers will welcome the Jaguars to Levi’s Stadium with Purdy under center as they seek to maintain momentum from a strong start. The Jaguars present a multifaceted challenge, with defensive fronts that can pressure and a skill-position group capable of accurate throwing and big plays. San Francisco’s roster features a balanced attack built around a run game that complements a vertical passing game, and Purdy’s presence provides the veteran poise the staff and players have come to rely on in late-game situations.

The return also holds significance beyond a single game. Purdy’s extension signals the organization’s commitment to him as the centerpiece of its long-term plans, and the absence period allowed the coaching staff to tune the offense around Jones’ strengths in a way that could inform future decision-making if the situation ever arises again. San Francisco will lean on Purdy’s familiarity with the scheme, his ability to read complex defenses, and his relationship with a diversified group of pass catchers to keep progressing through the early portion of the schedule.

As the team moves forward, the 49ers’ mix of play-action concepts, identity in the run game, and the aggressive style of their defense will be tested with Purdy back in the lineup. San Francisco will look to a West Coast-style efficiency that has helped them sustain an undefeated start and push toward a deeper playoff run.