The 49ers are unbeaten through two weeks, but it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing in San Francisco. Injuries have hit this team hard early in the 2025 campaign, yet Kyle Shanahan’s group keeps finding ways to win. Now, as they prepare for their home opener against a red-hot 2-0 Arizona Cardinals squad, they’ll have to dig even deeper into their depth chart.
Let’s start with the quarterback situation. Brock Purdy, who’s been nursing a toe injury, will miss his second straight game.
That hands the reins once again to Mac Jones, who stepped in last week and looked sharp in a road win over the Saints. Jones played with poise, kept the offense on schedule, and showed a solid connection with wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Problem is, he won’t have Jennings this week.
Jennings, dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries, has officially been ruled out for Week 3. That’s a tough blow considering how reliable he was in Jones’ first start, especially on third downs – the kind of receiver who turns short-yardage situations into conversions. His absence means Jones will need to establish chemistry quickly with other targets, namely second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall and veteran Kendrick Bourne.
Bourne, of course, is no stranger to the Bay Area. He spent his first four seasons with the 49ers before heading to New England in 2021, where he overlapped with Jones. That prior connection could be key, especially in a game where timing and trust will be at a premium.
Also inactive for San Francisco this week: rookie running back Jordan James, defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson, linebacker Nick Martin, and wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who’s dealing with a calf injury. Watkins’ injury could linger long enough to warrant an IR stint, but that decision hasn’t been made yet. For now, the 49ers will lean on a mix of healthy bodies and familiar faces to keep the offense moving.
Adrian Martinez will suit up as the backup quarterback, sliding into the No. 2 role behind Jones. That’s a notable detail, especially if the 49ers need to go deeper into their QB depth chart at any point on Sunday.
Despite all the injuries – and we’re talking about significant contributors here – the 49ers have managed to stay unbeaten. That’s a testament to Shanahan’s system, the team’s depth, and their ability to adapt on the fly.
Still, Week 3 presents a real test. Arizona’s 2-0 start is no fluke, and they’ll come into Levi’s Stadium with confidence and momentum.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET, and while the 49ers have proven they can win short-handed, doing it again against a divisional opponent on their home turf will require another complete team effort.
Keep an eye on how Jones manages the offense without Jennings, and whether Bourne or Pearsall can step up to fill that void. If the Niners can keep the train rolling despite the injury bug, it’ll say a lot about their staying power in a loaded NFC.