The 49ers are 2-0 despite opening their season with two road games and suffering injuries to several key starters.
They won Sunday in New Orleans with Mac Jones at quarterback in Brock Purdy’s place, beating the Saints 26-21 as the defense made some key stops in the second half.
Jones went 26-of-39 for 279 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, although he did fumble twice, losing one. His touchdown to Jauan Jennings early in the fourth quarter was the winning score.
Christian McCaffrey led the rushing attack with 55 yards on 13 attempts. He also caught a short touchdown pass from Jones, who completed passes to eight 49ers targets. McCaffrey had 52 yards receiving on six catches. Ahead of him were Ricky Pearsall with four catches for 56 yards and Jennings, who had five for 89 yards.
Luke Farrell, starting in place of the injured George Kittle, had his first career touchdown catch as one of his two receptions for 15 yards.
Fred Warner forced and recovered a fumble late in the third quarter that led to the Jennings touchdown.
Here’s what the 49ers had to say after the win:
Kyle Shanahan
On the game:
I thought every phase — offense, defense, special teams — really contributed to that win.
On Jones:
I thought Mac played real well. We had a number of things to change up, it was a big deal there losing juice there early in the gam, especially with Kittle out. Just the stuff we had to do with the other tight ends, so we were scrambling there for a little bit trying to figure some things out, thought he handled the situation well.
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On winning ugly through injuries:
However you do it, to be 2-0 it all counts the same. Yes, we did have to overcome a number of injuries. I was real proud of the guys doing it.
On the 49ers’ traveling fans:
The stadium seemed 50-50. There were times we didn’t have to do the silent cadence during the game, which was unusual. And then you could hear our guys at the end. Couldn’t be happier with our fans.
Mac Jones
On his start:
Really have worked a lot on my mindset this offseason. Obviously, when you’re having your first start, you’re going to have a couple nerves, but just working through those. And once I finally got into a rhythm, I felt like the line did a great job blocking for me, and when they do that, I know I can sit in there and let it fly.
On the nerves:
It’s just, like, not making it bigger than it is. And sometimes when you have them, you fight them, but you can’t really do that. You just got to let them come and figure out how to work through it. And a lot of it is just breathing and slowing down your pulse.
On the touchdown to Jennings:
I just looked to the left a little bit, moved the backer and then threw it and then he took it to the house.
On his mindset with this team:
I know I can play really well, and I know this organization and team is really doing a good job just trying to get me on track. And I got a long way to go and it’s just one game, right, and it’s good to just kind of feel a little bit of confidence again, and just got to carry that to the next week.
On Trent Williams’ pep talk:
Trent just came up to me, like, “Just go hoop, dude, like go make plays.” And I was like “All right, if Trent Williams can say that, then I can do it.”
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a fumble recovery against the New Orleans Saints during the second half in the game at Caesars Superdome on September 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Fred Warner
On the last drive, playing a conservative defense against Rattler:
For a young player, it’s hard to really dice a defense as talented as ours all the way down the field, and especially without a run game. I think the run game throughout the game allowed them to continue drives and obviously, silly penalties kept them in the game on some of those drives, but we made the plays when we needed them.
On his forced fumble:
I came in thinking I’m going to catch the ball when it flies off his head. And then last minute, as I’m arriving … that was the moment time kind of slowed down. I was able to punch it out and I knew for a fact he was still up.
Christian McCaffrey
On the win amid injury issues:
Anytime you get a win in the NFL, it’s awesome. You know, we were obviously down a lot of guys, had some adversity come up. But offense, defense, special
On his message to Mac Jones:
I didn’t tell him anything. Mac’s played a lot of football games. He’s won a lot of games. He’s been in that position before and we all had full confidence in him. He had confidence in us and I love the way he plays. He plays with so much swagger, he gives it his all. He’s so loose on the sideline and a great leader.
On the two-minute drill at the end of the first half:
Our offense is complicated and the two-minute can be complicated too. So for new guys all over the field to come in and execute that way, that was really cool.
On how the team helps newcomers prepare:
Our team plays and practices with a really high standard, and I think the way we prepare during camp has a lot to do with that. Guys don’t take plays off. I think when you lok at some of our guys who are big-name guys, they’re some of the hardest workers on the team and they do a good job setting the standard.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Nick Bosa
On winning a tough game after close losses last year:
Just feels a lot better. In the past, seems like we find a way to lose. Two games like this, dogfights to start the year and just closing it on defense, there’s no better feeling.
On Bryce HuffL
He’s a hand-in-the-ground player. He’s not an outside backer and he could rush like anyone in the league, and we knew that. Obviously, Saleh knew that, and I’m really happy to have him. I’m happy for him. His time in Philly — obviously winning a Super Bowl is great but I don’t think they utilized him great — so it’s kind of a resurgence for him and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Jauan Jennings
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On his touchdown catch:
I wouldn’t think I was going to get the ball because the backer dropped and got depth, but MAc ripped it, beautiful ball, got into the end zone.
On Jones’ presence:
It gives us a lot of energy. He plays with a lot of passion. I think that’s what this team’s about. We come out and we’re just firing, ready to go. Mac is a great example of that.
On the shoulder:
Pain is pain, but we worked through it. Training staff took care of me really well and was able to get back out there and perform like normal.
On the 49ers fans showing out in New Orleans:
I love it. Everywhere we go and we see 49ers fans, it just turns me up, like I can’t wait and it kills me if I can’t play knowing we got all these Faithful here.
