49ers fans are in absolute shambles right now, as another injury just rolled in after their Week 1 win. One game into the season, they lost TE George Kittle (hamstring) to short-term IR, and now they will be without QB Brock Purdy for 2-5 weeks with a toe injury.
49ers fans must be asking themselves, “Why me?”
QB Mac Jones will start at for the 49ers this week vs. the Saints in place of Purdy.
However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Star players will eventually return — the season is long.
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Brock Purdy Injury Update: How Long is Purdy Out For?
The 49ers returned home to San Francisco already banged up after their Week 1 win vs. the Seahawks. They knew they’d be without Kittle for some time, but they weren’t ready for the even worse news to come.
Purdy appeared on the injury report early in the week with a toe injury, but the full extent wasn’t clear until today. According to Ian Rapoport, Purdy is likely to at least miss games against the Saints and Cardinals, with a timeline of 2–5 weeks due to a “turf-toe variant.”
As a result, new signing Mac Jones will make his first start for San Francisco this week. Jones is not stranger to replacing an injured starter; just a year ago, he filled in for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence for eight games.
The question is: can Mac Jones deliver for fantasy managers scrambling in Purdy’s absence?
Is Mac Jones Worth Start in Fantasy?
It’s officially Mac Jones season!
Alright, while the excitement may be premature, it’s nice to see Jones get another chance to showcase his skills after a solid showing in Jacksonville last year. Although his time there was short-lived, he threw for 220+ yards in five of his eight starts there.
In his eight starts last year, he passed for 1,672 yards, 8 TDs, 8 INTs, and 6.4 YPA. Those numbers don’t jump out and say, “Mac Jones is a must-start in fantasy football.”
What is worth nothing is his connection with then-rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr.; Jones targeted Thomas 10+ times in each of the last 10 games of the season. Thomas averaged 96.4 yards per game in the final seven games of the year — showing that Jones can support a true WR1.
However, fantasy managers may have limited options. With players like RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Ricky Pearsall as his supporting cast, Jones is a safer QB2 play in all fantasy leagues than he is a QB1.
Mac Jones Week 2 Projections
Here are Jones' projections on PrizePicks for Week 2, where you can pick More or Less to win real money during the NFL season.
- 203.5 Pass Yards
- 0.5 Pass TDs (Goblin)
- 0.5 INT
- 10.5 Rush Yards
49ers Offense Fantasy Outlook
Many fantasy managers panicked when news broke about Purdy’s injury, particularly those rostering Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall. Here's what you can expect for both.
Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Football Outlook
But that worry may be overstated. Christian McCaffrey is the same RB who played with QBs like Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers-era), PJ Walker, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
In the 22 games he played with those QBs, he had 1,334 rushing yards, 758 receiving yards, and 15 TDs. Needless to say, McCaffrey will be completely fine with Mac Jones under center.
In fact, he may even be used more than before. In Week 1, McCaffrey had an absurd 31 touches (22 carries, 9 receptions). He'll be key to the 49ers offense moving the ball with no Kittle or Purdy.
Although he dealt with a calf injury before suiting up last week, McCaffrey is a full participant in practice this week.
Ricky Pearsall Fantasy Football Outlook
The biggest concern is Ricky Pearsall, who emerged as San Francisco’s WR1 with 4 receptions for 108 yards in Week 1, with Brandon Aiyuk on the PUP list.
The initial thought is that Pearsall will suffer with Jones as his QB, but that may not be the case.
Jones elevated Jaguars WR rookie Brian Thomas Jr. in his eight appearances he made in Jacksonville. Thomas Jr. had 52 receptions for 687 yards and 5 TDs in those games, which was good for 16.0 fantasy PPG. Thomas ranked as the 7th best fantasy WR during that span.
Pearsall may just be in good hands, especially as targets are even further condensed now that Kittle is out, with Aiyuk already on the PUT list
Christian McCaffrey Projections vs. SAints
Here are the projections for Christian McCaffrey vs. the Saints this week, via the PrizePicks NFL board.
- 81.5 Rush Yards
- 16 Longest Rush
- 3.5 Yards on First Rush Attempt
The 49ers have been dealt some bad news, as both Brock Purdy and George Kittle are out for extended periods. It’s now next man up as Mac Jones takes the reins in the home opener against the Saints on Sunday. Don’t be surprised if we see Mac Jones cook this weekend!
Mac Jones or not, you can win real money on PrizePicks with your NFL projections. Don’t be stuck with the same Lineup every week, just pick More or Less on at least two player projections and win real money. — all season long
