After a 42-26 loss to the Rams in Week 10, the 49ers are 6-4 in 2025. Backup QB Mac Jones has started six straight games for San Francisco. Starting QB Brock Purdy has been dealing with a lingering toe injury.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Thursday that Brock Purdy will return in Week 11. This is huge for the 49ers, who are looking to make a playoff push in the NFC. If the season ended today, San Francisco would be the eighth seed. They must be a seventh seed or higher after Week 18 to make the playoffs. That starts with a win in Week 11, Brock Purdy’s first match since Week 4.
Brock Purdy starts at QB for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced that QB Brock Purdy will start in Week 11 against the Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/rN3tuuHqpK
– NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2025
In the Week 1 win against the Seahawks, 49ers QB Brock Purdy suffered a toe injury. He has missed two straight games for San Francisco. Backup Mac Jones came in and won two games for the 49ers. They were 3-0 by the time Brock Purdy returned in Week 4 against the Jaguars. However, Purdy again injured his toe in a 26-21 loss to Jacksonville. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Brock Purdy looked “a little off” versus the Jaguars.
The 25-year-old needs to rest and recover from his toe injury. Purdy was forced to miss six straight starts for the 49ers. In that time, Mac Jones led the Niners to a 3-3 record. For the season, Jones is 5-3 in his eight starts. He has thrown for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Who knows where the 49ers would be if they didn’t have Mac Jones this season? He was an invaluable backup for San Francisco.
Kyle Shanahan announced that Brock Purdy will start Sunday against Arizona. pic.twitter.com/2UAgHTroGd
-San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 14, 2025
Fortunately, the 49ers will see the return of Brock Purdy in Week 11 against the Cardinals. George Kittle praised the team for having two talented QBs. 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 developed a strong relationship on and off the field.
Another 49ers player is expected to return to the lineup in Week 11. Rick Pearsall missed Week 4 with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. Initially, the Niners thought Pearsall would miss a few games. That quickly turned into a six-game losing streak. San Francisco is on the road this weekend to face the Arizona Cardinals. Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall return to the lineup for the first time in Week 4.
