The morning of McJones’ third start with the 49ers was anything but tranquil.
On Thursday, while he was on the balcony of his hotel in Marina Del Rey, he noticed a body floating in the water. Reportedly, someone alerted the authorities, and Jones shared what he had seen with a teammate.
When the players boarded buses to head to Sophie Stadium for their game against the Rams, they encountered investigator and coroner’s vehicles, which added an eerie touch to the day.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office was still looking into the situation by Friday afternoon.
Despite the unsettling start, Jones went on to complete 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a 49ers victory. Filling in for the injured Brock Purdy, Jones showcased the kind of quarterbacking skills that had made him a notable figure under coach Kyle Shanahan.
He contributed to an early 14-0 lead, orchestrating an eight-play, 37-yard drive that culminated in a field goal, essential for overtime.
His performance numbers included a 66.7% completion rate, along with six touchdowns and just one interception. This upward trend is impressive for the former first-round pick, who had previously been relegated to backup duty for Trevor Lawrence with the Jaguars after a less-than-stellar run with the Patriots.
Even with a knee injury complicating his game, he faced additional challenges with convulsions in his arms and legs during the match. Reports mentioned he vomited and had to grab three bananas to settle his stomach while on the sideline.
After the game, Jones candidly told reporters, “There’s definitely a lot going on, but I feel good. I just need to work on a few things. If I can protect myself, that’s my priority.” He seemed to brush away any hints that this could spark a quarterback rivalry, reaffirming that he was brought in to back up Purdy.
Jones acknowledged, “Block is the starter for this team, and he’s working on something.” He added, “I’ve been in his shoes. I was the starter once. By the end of the season, I want the backup to win when given a chance, especially come playoff time.”
The 49ers are off to a strong 4-1 start. Still, with Jones dealing with injuries and uncertainty surrounding Purdy’s situation, particularly for their upcoming game against the Buccaneers on October 12, things remain a bit foggy.
