49ers get scary timeline regarding Brock Purdy injury update

On Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that quarterback Brock Purdy was a "long shot" to play in this coming Sunday's game at the 0-1 New Orleans Saints due to left shoulder and toe injuries. 

It appears Purdy will be sidelined for more than one weekend of action. 

How many games could Brock Purdy miss? 

During Thursday's edition of NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" program, league insider Ian Rapoport reported that Purdy could miss anywhere from two to five games while dealing with his latest setbacks. Rapoport added that backup Mac Jones "probably" will make a minimum of two starts as Purdy recovers. 

Following Week 2, San Francisco has matchups against the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Purdy completed 26-of-35 pass attempts for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in San Francisco's Week 1 win at the Seattle Seahawks. According to Pro Football Reference, he began Thursday ranked ninth in the NFL with an 80.3 adjusted QBR. 

Thursday's update is yet another brutal blow for a 49ers team that dealt with a noteworthy injury crisis last season, as star tight end George Kittle was already on injured reserve because of a hamstring problem. 

Why San Francisco 49ers are confident in Mac Jones

"I mean, they're real similar in terms of how they play the game," Shanahan said on Wednesday about how Jones will perform while replacing Purdy, according to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone. "They're both extremely tough. They both can distribute the ball. I don't know who has a faster 40. Brock, I'd say, is a little bit better of a scrambler, but they're close to similar."

Some believe Shanahan originally wanted to select Jones over Trey Lance with the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Jones ultimately failed to cement himself as the New England Patriots' long-term answer at the position while with that club from 2021-23. Most recently, he made seven starts for the Jaguars last season. 

"I like Mac a lot," 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa added on Wednesday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "Getting to know him this camp, and I think he's really popped on tape throughout camp. If Mac does start, I think it's a little more advantageous for him being earlier in the year since he's gotten some real reps recently and he's not 10 weeks into the season taking only scout team [snaps], getting pinballed around by the D-line and scout team. I think that's a bright side."

Following Rapoport's on-air report, ESPN BET had the 49ers as 3.5-point favorites over the Saints.