Despite losing 42-26 to the Rams in Week 10, the 49ers are 6-4 in 2025. Backup QB Mac Jones has started six consecutive games for San Francisco. Starting QB Brock Purdy was suffering from a lingering toe injury.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Thursday that Brock Purdy will return in Week 11. This is a big deal for the 49ers as they look to make the playoffs in the NFC. If the season ended today, San Francisco would be the No. 8 seed. To make the playoffs, they must be a No. 7 seed or higher at the end of Week 18. It starts with a win in Week 11, Brock Purdy’s first game since Week 4.
Brock Purdy will start as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that QB Brock Purdy will start against the Cardinals in Week 11. pic.twitter.com/rN3tuuHqpK
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2025
In Week 1’s win over the Seahawks, 49ers QB Brock Purdy injured his toe. He missed his second straight game with San Francisco. Backup Mac Jones played and the 49ers won two games. They were 3-0 by the time Brock Purdy returned in Week 4 against the Jaguars. However, Purdy re-injured his toe in a 26-21 loss to Jacksonville. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Brock Purdy looked “a little off” against the Jaguars.
The 25-year-old needed to rest and recover from a toe injury. Purdy was forced to miss the 49ers’ sixth consecutive game. During that time, Mac Jones led the Niners to a 3-3 record. This season, Jones is 5-3 in eight starts. He threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Who knows what the 49ers would have been without Mac Jones this season? He was a valuable backup for San Francisco.
Kyle Shanahan announced that Brock Purdy will start this Sunday against Arizona. pic.twitter.com/2UAgHTroGd
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 14, 2025
Fortunately, the 49ers will have Brock Purdy back in Week 11 against the Cardinals. Tight end George Kittle praised the team for having two talented quarterbacks. He said Jones did a great job of keeping the team moving while Purdy missed time. During their time together in the NFL, Brock Purdy and George Kittle have developed a strong bond on and off the field.
Another 49er is expected to return to action in Week 11. Rick Pearsall missed Week 4 with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Initially, the Niners thought Pearsall would miss several games. That quickly turned into a six-game absence. San Francisco is on the road this weekend to face the Arizona Cardinals. Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall will return to the lineup for the first time in Week 4.
