49ers-Buccaneers duel features QB questions in 4-1 matchup

The San Francisco 49ers will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12 at Raymond James Stadium, with CBS assigning its top broadcast team, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, to call the game. The matchup between two 4-1 teams kicks off at 12:25 p.m. Pacific Time and has drawn heightened interest amid injury uncertainty for San Francisco and close early-season results for Tampa Bay.

The 49ers enter the game with questions at quarterback. Starter Brock Purdy has not practiced this week as he recovers from turf toe, while Mac Jones, who stepped in on short notice last Thursday and led San Francisco to a 26-23 overtime road win at Los Angeles, is managing knee and oblique injuries. Jones threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in that win and was praised by teammate Christian McCaffrey for his toughness. Coach Kyle Shanahan called the victory one of the more memorable since he took over in 2017, pointing to the team’s ability to overcome multiple absences.

San Francisco has been rolling through tight contests this season, recording four one-possession wins through five weeks. The team remains without edge rusher Nick Bosa after a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, and other injuries...