On Thursday Night Football, the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers traveled to Los Angeles to face their division rival Rams in a battle for first place in the NFC West. Both teams entered the game at 3-1, making this Week 5 matchup more meaningful than most early-season contests. The 49ers have built a reputation during the Kyle Shanahan era as one of the most injury-plagued teams in football, and 2025 has been no different.
Photo Cred: 49ers
Nick Bosa is out for the season with a torn ACL, George Kittle is on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, and Brock Purdy aggravated a toe injury last week against Jacksonville. That left backup Mac Jones—himself battling a PCL injury—to start Thursday night. To make matters worse, three more key players went down against the Rams and were unable to return. Given the circumstances, oddsmakers had Los Angeles as 8.5-point favorites.
But Shanahan put on a coaching clinic, scheming an undermanned offense to carve up the Rams’ defense, which entered the week ranked eighth in the league. Mac Jones, once labeled a draft bust in New England, delivered the best performance of his career, throwing for 342 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions despite a shaky offensive line. At times, Jones struggled just to walk off the field and even vomited on the sideline, but he kept battling and made several high-level throws into tight windows.
Now, Jones has played well enough that some fans and analysts are calling for him to remain the starter, even when Purdy returns. The 49ers just signed Purdy to a five-year, $265 million extension, but that doesn’t guarantee his job. After all, San Francisco already benched Trey Lance—a player they traded three first-rounders and a third-round pick to acquire—in favor of Purdy, the very last pick of his draft. With Purdy’s struggles stretching back over a year, his grip on QB1 may not be as secure as his contract suggests.
Photo Cred: ABC
Despite their depleted roster, the 49ers have the NFL’s easiest schedule this season and now sit at 4-1. The defense, revitalized under new coordinator Robert Saleh, has rocketed from 31st last year to sixth so far this season. Offensively, they rank just 20th, but reinforcements are on the way with receivers Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and tight end George Kittle expected back soon. The biggest question, however, is at quarterback. If Jones continues to outshine Purdy, will Shanahan once again make the bold call to change starters—no matter the cost?
