Mac Jones guides 49ers to win as Purdy sidelined with toe injury

NEW ORLEANS — With starter Brock Purdy sidelined by a painful toe injury, backup Mac Jones stepped in Sunday and guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome, completing 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns and one lost fumble in his first start for the team.

Purdy, who hurt a toe and sustained soreness in his nonthrowing left shoulder during the season opener at Seattle, did not practice this week and was ruled out for Sunday. Team officials described his status as week to week, but other reports suggested he could miss between two and five weeks. The 49ers have not placed Purdy on injured reserve, and general manager John Lynch said the club is monitoring his recovery day to day.

San Francisco turned to Jones, a former first-round pick who signed a two-year deal in the offseason to back up Purdy. Jones distributed the ball widely, targeting 10 receivers and connecting on scoring passes to Luke Farrell, Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings. Jennings finished with five catches for 89 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner in the fourth quarter.