The 49ers thought better of the idea that Brock Purdy would suit up today against the New York Giants.
Purdy, who coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday could potentially be available to play, will instead be inactive and out of uniform with Adrian Martinez handling backup quarterback duties behind starter Mac Jones.
Other 49ers inactives are wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee), center Jake Brendel (hamstring), edge rusher Bryce Huff (hamstring), running back Jordan James, safety Marques Sigle and defensive tackle C.J. West.
Sigle has gone from starter at safety to a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
Once it was determined Jones was the starter, the 49ers had three options regarding Purdy: 1) Suit him up to be the backup behind Jones; 2) Have Purdy in uniform and declare him the emergency No. 3 quarterback; 3) Have him inactive and out of uniform for the fifth consecutive game and seventh of the season with right turf toe that occurred in Week 1 and was aggravated on Sept. 28 against Jacksonville.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch both said the artificial surface at MetLife Stadium would play no role in whether Purdy was active or not.
Purdy practiced all week in a limited fashion, although it’s not known how much work he got behind Jones.
Asked if Purdy got “a lot” of starter reps during the week, Shanahan said, “I wouldn’t say a lot.”
When Purdy started against Jacksonville, he we was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday but did all the work on Friday and was deemed ready to play. The 49ers lost 26-21, Purdy threw two interceptions and he hasn’t suited up for a game since.
“He got more reps this week, but we weren’t going to commit to all of that like we did last time,” Shanahan said. “So, I think it’s easing him back more than last time.”
Whether “easing him back” would include being available to face the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Week 10 is a drama that will play itself out over the course of the week.
Shanahan conceded Purdy’s toe is “not fully healthy.” They may be waiting for three full practices with no limitations before putting him back on the field — and the more Jones fares well as the starter, the longer the 49ers can wait before reinstalling Purdy as the starter.
Defensive lineman Keion White and Clelin Ferrell will make their season debuts for the 49ers after arriving during the week as reinforcements to a think area. White, a former second-round draft pick by New England, was acquired by trade, with the 49ers sending a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Patriots and getting White and a seventh-round pick in return.
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Ferrell, who played all 17 games as a starter for the 49ers in 2023, was signed to the practice squad and flexed to the game-day roster on Saturday.
Both White and Ferrell are capable of playing end and tackle. Also available will be defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who didn’t travel with the team due to personal reasons but is on site and expected to play at defensive tackle.
Also playing his first game of the season is Spencer Burford, who can play swing tackle in back of Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz and also has experience at guard. Burford was on injured reserve with a knee injury but had his practice window opened heading in to the Houston game.
Listed as inactive for the Giants are safetyJevón Holland, cornerback Paulson Adebo, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston, tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and tight end Daniel Bellinger. Jameis Winston was designated as the emergency quarterback behind starter Jaxson Dart and backup Russell Wilson.
