Join our FREE personalized newsletter for news, trends, and insights that matter to everyone in America

Newsletter
New

49ers Have ‘good Plan In Place' For Mac Jones To Start At Qb Against Buccaneers

Card image cap

49ers have ‘good plan in place' for Mac Jones to start at QB against Buccaneers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers might have a quarterback controversy, but not about what has been brewing on social media. 
The main question at the position is if there is someone healthy enough to lead the 49ers’ offense on Sunday, but Mac Jones believes he will be ready.

“Every game you have a plan for what you need to fix and what you need to get better at,” Jones said Thursday. “Not only on the field but off the field with your body and how you feel. So, for me, just getting treatment every day and working. We have a good plan in place, and I feel confident and just working through it day by day. That’s all you can do.”

During the early portion of practice that is open to media, all passes being thrown to receivers were being made by either back up Adrian Martinez or the 49ers equipment staff. Brock Purdy, who is making his way back from a toe injury was seen working on the side field with San Francisco’s medical/training staff.

Jones was on the field near Martinez, but only observing. Later, the signal-caller was officially listed as “limited” after the afternoon session came to a close.

Jones’ gutsy Thursday night performance just one week ago was filled with injuries ranging from a lingering knee issue to an oblique injury that he suffered at some point in San Francisco’s thrilling win. The Alabama product was also seen eating bananas while on the bench area to help alleviate cramps in his forearm.

At one point the team considered sending Jones to the locker room to receive fluids intravenously, but considering the amount of time left on the game clock, that option was ruled out.

“I knew it was going to take a lot of toughness and just taking it one play at a time,” Jones said. “I believe if you can protect yourself, that you should be out there and playing. A lot of guys are working through stuff. That’s the NFL, and I’ve learned that you just got to be able to go out there and protect yourself and play.” 

Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has been impressed with Jones’ mettle, being able to battle through the injuries, while helping his team reach a 4-1 record with his three starts.

“You don’t really know until you get a guy and you see him play,” Kubiak said. “I think we all knew Mac was a tough player. I think we didn’t have any assumption he wasn’t. But when you see a guy go out there and battle, work through the injuries, get hit and stay in the game when it’s not looking good, or when we have to come from behind in a two-minute drill, you learn a lot about a guy.

“And Mac just keeps proving time and time again that he’s made of the right stuff and he’s built to play quarterback in this league.”

While Jones not taking part in early warm ups is abnormal for any quarterback planning to start on Sunday, the former first-round pick explained the thought process. “I was trying to save some throws,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of volume out there, and at the end of the day, got to be ready for Sunday. Like I said, we got a plan, so taking it

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast