49ers will rely on Mac Jones to save season after Brock Purdy injury news

Star tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve earlier this week, wide receiver Jauan Jennings’ (shoulder) status for Week 2 is unknown and now Purdy is out for what could be a month. For a team looking to bounce back from a 6-11 campaign, this is not the ideal start to the new season — especially after paying Purdy $265 million in the offseason.

The San Francisco 49ers' hopes will rely on Mac Jones

San Francisco will trek on nonetheless, with 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones at quarterback. In four years in the NFL, Jones has a 20-29 record and has seen his star diminish after a Pro Bowl-caliber rookie season.

Jones will have an assumed easy first opponent — the New Orleans Saints. However, on a Niners team that cannot afford to waste opportunities to win, playing on the road in New Orleans presents a unique challenge. In two career games against the Saints, Jones is 0-2 with a 47.7 passer rating, 380 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.

If Purdy missed the whole five weeks due to the toe injury, Jones is in line to start against the Saints, Cardinals, Jaguars, Rams and Buccaneers. Maybe Jones can finally secure a win against New Orleans, but a once-promising 49ers season now resides in the hands of the failed first-round pick.