SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Whether the quarterback is Mac Jones or Brock Purdy, it’s all about forward progress for the 49ers.

Purdy was officially listed as questionable Friday to face the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying that if the $265 million quarterback is in uniform, it probably wouldn’t be as the starter.

“I thought he had a good week and hopefully we can get him up for the game,” Shanahan said. “We’ll just see how he does tomorrow. I think it’s highly unlikely that he would start, but just see where he’s at and if he can be a No. 2 or an emergency No. 3.”

That means Jones appears in line for his second start in a battle between two 2-0 teams Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Also listed as questionable for the 49ers was wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle) and in a surprise, rookie guard Connor Colby, who came out of Thursday’s practice with a groin strain. Listed as out were tackle Spencer Burford (knee) and wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf).

Regardless of the starting quarterback, it would behoove the 49ers to do a little more damage with their running game.

Shanahan worships at the altar of rushing attempts as a sign of balance. Even though the Saints game was skewed with 39 passes and 26 rushes, the 49ers are fifth in the NFL with 62 runs, but 28th in yards per carry at 3.2.

“The numbers aren’t crazy,” 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “They’re not going to wow you. But when you really watch it on tape, I think they’re doing a good job in the run game. We’re running the ball efficiently. We’re doing what we kind of want to do, and then there’s been some opportunities where we’re a hair off.”

Christian McCaffrey leads the 49ers with 35 carries for 125 yards, a 3.5 average that’s well off his career mark of 4.7. In 2023, when McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 yards rushing, he averaged 5.4 per carry. Brian Robinson Jr., who was acquired to spell McCaffrey, is also at 3.5 with 17 rushes for 53 yards. He has just two carries for losses and 13 have produced positive yardage.

In two games, the 49ers have 10 runs which lost yardage, not including five kneel-downs to close out either a half or a game. The other 47 carries resulted in either no gain or positive yards, which enables Shanahan to stay out of the third-and-long situations that restrict play-calling.

“I’m not too concerned with the run game, but I’d like to get more production,” Shanahan said.

The numbers would look a lot different if the 49ers could break some bigger runs. McCaffrey has the only two running plays that have gone for more than 10 yards, with a 13-yard run against Seattle and a 10-yard run against New Orleans. The only other run longer than 10 yards was a 13-yard scramble by Jones against the Saints.

It hasn’t helped that both Seattle and New Orleans played a lot of “two shell” defense, which places two defenders more than 10 yards deep, restricting open spaces for big runs.

“I mean, we’re close. Definitely close,” McCaffrey said. “A lot of it is just can’t get tackled and that’s on me. Being able to break those long ones comes from all 11 guys being on point, and me stepping up and getting those long ones. The last two weeks we haven’t had any big ones. Hopefully, they’re coming.”

In wins over New Orleans and Carolina, Arizona has been stingy against the run, giving up 156 yards in two games with no run yielding more than 18 yards.

“With Christian McCaffrey, he’s the guy they get the ball to, it all starts with stopping the run,” Arizona safety Budda Baker told reporters.

Injury fallout

The good news for the 49ers was that fullback Kyle Juszczyk and core special teamer Siran Neal both cleared concussion protocol and are expected to play.

If Colby can’t go, the 49ers could promote Nick Zakelj from the practice squad or start undrafted rookie Drew Moss.

“It would be a surprise to everyone,” Shanahan said about Colby playing. “Most likely it would be one of those two.”

The injuries for Watkins and Buford appear to be more long term as well. Shanahan said Watkins could be headed for injured reserve and that surgery wasn’t out of the question for Burford, the swing tackle. The likely backup at both tackle spots is Austen Pleasants.

The Colby fan club

If it keeps him off the field, Colby’s injury would be an unfortunate setback for the 249th pick in the NFL draft.

Colby’s drawn raves from coaches and teammates alike, including left tackle Trent Williams, who played alongside him against New Orleans. Williams didn’t know in what round Colby was drafted until he asked him.

“It never dawned on me until I asked him one day,” Williams said. “Yes, I’m surprised by him. I’m surprised he was drafted in the seventh round.”

Colby stepped in for Bartch 10 snaps into the New Orleans game and finished with a clean sheet. No penalties, no glaring mistakes, no pressures. With Bartch on I.R., Colby has a clear shot at retaining the starting position, if healthy.

“He has the build of a tackle but the lower body strength and pad level of a guard,” Williams said. “It ends up working in his favor on pass blocking. I think he can block smaller guys with his foot speed and his ability, and being in the phone booth helps him with his longer arms and stature.”

Dominick Puni was a step-in-and-start right guard last season and missed one snap all season. He looks at Colby and sees himself.

“I see so many similarities, and the questions he has, I would ask the same thing last year,” Puni said. “The vets have a lot more advice for him but being so fresh off the rookie year, anything he has for me I’m there for him to answer.”

Williams said Colby “has an older soul. He doesn’t act like a rookie.”

Apple’s example

Three players wore special jerseys Friday, designating them as scout team players of the week — cornerback Eli Apple (special teams), cornerback Chase Lucas (defense) and quarterback Adrian Martinez.

Apple, 30, is a veteran of 102 games and 82 starts over 10 seasons with the New York Giants (the 10th pick in the 2010 NFL draft), the New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.

“He’s a really awesome example for a guy who started in this league, played at a high level, but an awesome example for all the young guys that it really doesn’t matter, that you’ve got to work no matter where you’re at … it’s just a matter of time until he helps us on Sundays too,” Shanahan said.

Martinez spent the week simulating Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray.

Shanahan and Saudi Arabia

Shanahan was surprised to get a random phone call from Tom Brady recently, inviting him to take part in a three-day flag football event in Saudi Arabia put on by the sports merchandiser “Fanatics.”

“I never thought I’d go to Saudi Arabia,” Shanahan said on KNBR-680. “It sounded really cool, fun, I’m going to bring my wife. We’re going to go down there together. It sounded like a real good experience as long as it doesn’t mess with our schedule here. I was flattered he asked.”

The other two coaches in a round-robin tournament will be Pete Carroll of the Raiders and Sean Payton of the Broncos.

©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.