The San Francisco 49ers are bracing for a stretch without their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, who is set to miss multiple games.
Purdy battled through Week 1 despite a painful turf toe injury on his lead foot and soreness in his non-throwing shoulder. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he’s expected to be sidelined anywhere from two to five weeks.
With Purdy out, Mac Jones will step in as the temporary starter. While Jones has plenty of NFL experience, the 49ers’ depth at quarterback looks shaky if another injury occurs. That’s why C.J. Beathard, currently on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, has surfaced as a potential target.
“The 49ers could use another passer familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s offense,” The Athletic’s Matt Barrows wrote on September 10. “C.J. Beathard fits the bill. He’s on Detroit’s practice squad, and since San Francisco has already brought back familiar faces like Robert Saleh and Kendrick Bourne, why not Beathard too?”
Why Beathard Makes Sense for San Francisco
Beathard isn’t just another veteran floating on the market. Drafted by Shanahan in 2017, he started 19 games across four seasons in San Francisco, producing 3,469 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In total, he has 3,886 yards, 19 TDs, and 14 picks over 32 career games. His numbers may not be flashy, but he has proven capable in the same offensive system the 49ers still run today.
Because practice-squad players can be signed directly to another team’s 53-man roster, bringing Beathard back would be straightforward and cost-effective. The Lions picked him up late in August, but he remains behind Jared Goff and Kyle Allen, leaving him vulnerable to being poached.
Jones Holds the Reins, But Depth is Needed
While Beathard looms as an option, Jones is set to guide the team for now. Signed to a two-year, $7 million contract in March, the 26-year-old has 52 career starts with over 10,500 passing yards, 54 touchdowns, and 44 interceptions.
Shanahan praised his new starter, saying Jones processes coverages quickly, works efficiently in the pocket, and has already shown toughness at the NFL level. Still, the head coach admitted the team would prefer to have three active quarterbacks.
“We’ve got Brock, but he can’t go right now,” Shanahan explained. “Ideally, we’d like to have three guys ready, but roster constraints are holding us back.”
With Purdy sidelined and roster flexibility opening up soon, San Francisco could make a move. Whether that means reuniting with Beathard remains to be seen, but it’s clear another quarterback addition is likely on the horizon.
