The 49ers will play a Thursday night prime-time game without a handful of stars.
Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle/rib) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) will not play in San Francisco's game in Los Angeles against the Rams. Mac Jones will start in place for Purdy.
Receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) and defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) will also miss the game.
Purdy missed Weeks 2-3 with the toe injury suffered in the 49ers' comeback win over the Seahawks in Week 1 and was able to return for San Francisco's close loss to Jacksonville in Week 4. After the game, Purdy reported discomfort in the toe, prompting the 49ers to take "every precaution to make sure Brock's all right," general manager John Lynch said during a Tuesday radio interview.
With a short turnaround to the Thursday night game, those precautions weren't enough to improve Purdy's health. His absence will call Jones back into action to replace him in a game that will be increasingly difficult without Pearsall, Watkins and Jennings.
Demarcus Robinson, Skyy Moore, Kendrick Bourne and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will likely fill out the 49ers' remaining receiving corps, forming an experienced group but one lacking the proven production (with San Francisco) of the likes of Jennings and Pearsall.
San Francisco has encountered an unrelenting injury bug in 2025 that has significantly affected the offensive and defensive units, headlined by a season-ending injury for Nick Bosa and the now nagging toe ailment affecting Purdy. The 49ers have managed to start 3-1 but will be tested by their NFC West rival in an increasingly steep challenge Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.
