49ers ‘not optimistic’ Brock Purdy can return in Week 3 as Mac Jones gets start vs. Saints

The 49ers are not getting their hopes up that Brock Purdy will return from a toe injury in the immediate future.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday the team is “not optimistic” its starting quarterback will be under center for Week 3, an NFC West clash against the Cardinals at home, but kept the door ajar in the event his progress trends upward.

“We’ll see for next week,” a source told Schefter. “Next week will be tight, but he progressed a lot this week.”

Purdy, in the first year of a massive five-year, $265 million contract extension, sustained the toe injury in the 49ers’ season-opening win against the Seahawks last week.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Purdy — also grappling with a left shoulder injury — would be a “long shot” to play against the Saints, paving the way for former first-round pick Mac Jones to start Sunday in New Orleans.

The toe injury was described as “similar to turf toe, though not in the typical spot,” according to the 49ers, which noted Purdy could be sidelined for “multiple weeks.”