In a surprising turn of events, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan dropped a bombshell on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, revealing that quarterback Mac Jones may miss the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee sprain. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the NFL, as fans and analysts eagerly await updates on the former Alabama star’s condition ahead of the regular-season opener.
Mac Jones’ Injury and Shanahan’s Game Plan
Jones, who signed with the 49ers as a free agent in March 2025, did not sustain the injury during gameplay in the team’s recent preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the setback, Shanahan remains optimistic, stating that Jones is expected to be ready for the 49ers’ regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7, 2025. “I haven’t decided yet,” Shanahan told the media, as reported by USA Today, when questioned about the quarterback lineup for the upcoming Chargers game. “I initially planned on playing some guys. To be honest, I’m getting less on that right now, especially with Mac being out.”
To bolster the quarterback depth chart, the 49ers swiftly signed former Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld on Tuesday. Additionally, the roster includes Carter Bradley, a South Alabama standout who spent his rookie season with the Las Vegas Raiders without seeing regular-season action. Shanahan emphasized the need for backup options, noting, “That’s why we brought in Nate, too, because I know we’re going to want at least two other guys to play besides Brock, if he does go. But I’ll decide on that after these next two practices.”
Mac Jones’ Preseason Performance
Jones, a former All-American at Alabama, has shown flashes of brilliance during the 2025 preseason despite mixed results. In the game against the Raiders, he completed 13-of-16 passes for 135 yards, leading four possessions that resulted in an interception, a touchdown, a missed field goal, and a field goal. In the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, Jones helmed three drives, completing 4-of-7 passes for 74 yards, with a touchdown, a punt, and an interception, along with a 2-yard run on a critical fourth-and-1 play.
Reflecting on Jones’ journey, his tenure with the New England Patriots saw him start all 42 games he played, leading the team to the playoffs and earning a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie. However, his performance dipped in subsequent years, with an 8-17 record in starts during 2022 and 2023, culminating in a benching with six games left in the 2023 season. Across 52 NFL regular-season games, Jones has amassed 1,035 completions out of 1,570 attempts for 10,590 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 44 interceptions, alongside 419 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 145 carries.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
With Jones’ status for the Chargers game uncertain, all eyes are on Shanahan’s next move. The addition of Sudfeld and the presence of Bradley signal the team’s proactive approach to maintaining depth at the quarterback position. As the 49ers prepare for their regular-season debut against the Seahawks, Jones’ recovery timeline will be critical. Shanahan’s confidence in Jones’ readiness for Week 1 offers hope, but the NFL world will be watching closely to see how the 49ers navigate this unexpected challenge.
The preseason finale against the Chargers promises to be a pivotal moment for San Francisco as they fine-tune their roster and strategy. Will Shanahan’s gamble on Jones’ recovery pay off, or will the 49ers lean on their new additions to carry the load? One thing is certain: this stunning revelation has set the stage for a dramatic lead-up to the 2025 NFL season.