Mac Jones may be hindering 49ers' Super Bowl chances after another lackluster showing

The redemption arc of quarterback Mac Jones was fun while it lasted, but the San Francisco 49ers need starting QB Brock Purdy to return as soon as possible.

Purdy has missed six games because of turf toe. The QB initially suffered the injury in a Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks and hasn't played since a Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

During this time frame, Jones has helped keep the 49ers' playoff hopes afloat. At one point, he was even outplaying Purdy. But now, the former New England Patriots/Jaguars flop is looking like his old self. 

Mac Jones struggled in loss against the Houston Texans

One of Jones' bigger weaknesses was on display in Sunday's 26-15 road loss to the Texans: his inability to extend plays with his legs.

The immobile QB often folded against the Texans' pass-rush, which features third-year linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who was tied for 20th in sacks (four) through the first seven weeks of the season. Jones took two sacks for -18 yards against the Texans.

This has been a problem throughout the season. Per Pro Football Focus, Jones had an underwhelming 21% pressure-to-sack rate through his first five games. Purdy, meanwhile, has a solid 6.1% pressure-to-sack rate through two games. Pressure-to-sack rate measures how often a QB takes a sack when he's under pressure.

In his postgame news conference, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't point the finger at Jones for the Niners' offensive struggles against the Texans. He said the QB "missed some throws," but the unit must play better for the rest of the season. 

However, the coach knows he can't keep covering up the QB's shortcomings. Over his past three starts, Jones has tossed four interceptions and two TD passes after throwing six TDs and one pick in his first three starts. Against Houston, he finished 19-of-32 passing for 193 yards, two TDs and one pick. 

It's unclear when Purdy will return. San Francisco general manager John Lynch has hinted it could be soon. That's good for the 49ers. Jones has done a fine job, but San Francisco needs a healthy Purdy to win a Super Bowl.