49ers reportedly planning to make this Brock Purdy, Mac Jones call for Falcons game

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy has spent more games this season on the sidelines than in the lineup due to a lingering toe issue. 

It sounds like Mac Jones will serve as San Francisco's QB1 for a fifth time when the 4-2 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons (3-2) on Sunday night. 

Why 49ers may start Mac Jones over Brock Purdy

"Seems to me to put Mac Jones in as the starting quarterback once again," NFL insider Ian Rapoport said about San Francisco's situation during Thursday's edition of the "Good Morning Football" program, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "They do not want Brock Purdy to suffer another relapse, another injury, another reaggravation. So, it certainly seems like Mac Jones once again."

Purdy missed Weeks 2 and 3 of the season because of the toe injury that he reaggravated in Week 4. In his place, Jones went 3-0 as San Francisco's starter before the 49ers suffered a 30-19 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 12. 

On Wednesday, ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted that Jones is dealing with knee and oblique injuries this week. That same day, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Jones will be good to go for the Falcons contest. 

According to ESPN stats, Jones began Thursday ranked 18th in the NFL among qualified players with a 52.9 adjusted QBR and 20th with a 93.7 passer rating on the season. Over four games, he tossed six touchdown passes and three interceptions. 

Will talk of QB controversy continue to hover over the 49ers?

General manager John Lynch is among the individuals associated with the 49ers who have insisted a healthy Purdy will reclaim his spot atop the depth chart once the signal-caller is cleared to face live defenses in meaningful games. That said, the Falcons are coming off an impressive "Monday Night Football" showing, where the Atlanta defense gave Buffalo Bills quarterback and reigning MVP Josh Allen problems. 

If Jones torches that same Falcons defense on Sunday, Shanahan and Lynch may find themselves having a difficult conversation next week. 

As of Thursday afternoon, ESPN BET had the 49ers as 2.5-point home favorites over the Falcons, suggesting certain NFL insiders aren't concerned that San Francisco may be planning to start Jones over Purdy for the "Sunday Night Football."