Analyst believes that 49ers have 'a brewing QB controversy'

In seven starts to just two for Purdy, Jones has a better completion percentage (67.2%) and has 1,832 passing yards for 10 TDs. His five interceptions and 16 sacks are certainly concerning, but that is a solid stat line for a QB that inherited a banged-up receiving corps.

Running back Christian McCaffrey (626 yards, four TDs) leads the team in receiving yards, but other players have stepped up. Kendrick Bourne (463 yards) leads the receiving group in yards with second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall (327 yards) close behind. Even unlikely heroes like TEs Jake Tonges (four TDs) and Luke Farrell (one TD) have become options for Jones down the field.

The defense has also experienced its share of notable injuries, including defensive end Nick Bosa (torn right ACL) and linebacker Fred Warner (right ankle), who are both on injured reserve. Despite the depleted roster, San Francisco still finds itself in the thick of the playoff race at 6-3.

Considering Purdy signed a five-year, $265M contract extension in the offseason, it is hard to imagine the starting role not being his when he returns. Although he has four interceptions in his two starts, he also threw two TDs in both games and has accounted for at least 3,800 pass yards and 20 TDs in each of his two full-time seasons as starting QB.

If anything, the 49ers are recognizing Jones' solid play on the field and how it can buy Purdy some additional time to get healthy. If San Francisco was struggling or falling out of the playoff race, perhaps Purdy would be thrown back into the mix, but with the success it can continue to have with Jones, there is really no reason to rush Purdy back if he is still the QB1 in its mind.

Prior to the injury, this was clearly Purdy's job or the 49ers would not have signed him to a major extension. However, Jones has been fantastic in his absence and showed that he can be a reliable QB, even with a mostly unproven group of players to get the ball to.