Mac Jones playing today?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones is not scheduled to play today, Friday, August 21, 2026, because the 49ers already played their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 41-17 at SoFi Stadium. Jones was one of the quarterbacks available for the game and saw action after Brock Purdy’s opening series.
Therefore, if you are searching “Is Mac Jones playing today?” or “Will Mac Jones play tonight?”, the answer is no game is scheduled for him tonight. His most recent game action came Thursday.
Did Mac Jones play tonight?
Yes, Jones played in Thursday night’s preseason matchup against the Chargers.
The 49ers had three quarterbacks available: Purdy, Jones and Adrian Martinez. Jones entered after the opening work and finished the game 6-of-13 passing for 89 yards.
The 49ers’ official schedule lists the Chargers matchup for Thursday, August 20, at 7 p.m. Pacific time.
Latest game
Jones provided several positive moments against the Chargers, including a 21-yard completion to wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.
The 49ers eventually pulled away for a 41-17 victory. Brock Purdy played briefly before giving way to Jones, while Adrian Martinez handled the later quarterback duties.
Jones’ performance also comes at an important point in his career. He remains behind Purdy on San Francisco’s quarterback depth chart, but his experience makes him an important backup option.
Is Mac Jones injured?
There is no indication from the latest August 21 reports that he is dealing with a new injury that would prevent him from playing.
The significant injury news surrounding the 49ers after the Chargers game involved other players, including cornerback Renardo Green, linebacker Nick Martin and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants.
Jones himself was active and played against Los Angeles, which is another indication that he was healthy enough to participate.
Fans should still monitor official 49ers practice reports for any change in his status.
Injury history
Jones has dealt with injuries during his time in San Francisco. In 2025, he played through a knee issue and later dealt with an oblique injury. ESPN reported at the time that Jones had suffered the oblique problem late in a game after previously playing through the knee issue.
He also re-aggravated a knee injury during the 2025 season, although he continued to serve as an important quarterback for San Francisco.
Those previous injuries are relevant when evaluating searches about a potential Mac Jones injury, but they should not be confused with a current injury designation in August 2026.
Will Mac Jones play next week?
The 49ers’ next preseason game is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Whether Jones plays in that game will depend on Kyle Shanahan’s plans for the quarterback rotation and how much preseason work the coaching staff wants from Purdy and the backups.
The preseason is also important for Jones because he is competing for his role behind Purdy. Recent reports have highlighted the competition surrounding San Francisco’s backup quarterback position.
Mac Jones’ role with the 49ers
Jones joined San Francisco after his stint with the New England Patriots and has rebuilt his reputation as an experienced backup quarterback.
His value became especially clear during the 2025 season when he stepped into the starting role during Brock Purdy’s injury absence. A recent profile noted that Jones went 5-3 as a starter during that stretch while posting a 97.4 passer rating.
That experience gives San Francisco a proven option behind Purdy.
At the same time, the emergence of other quarterbacks has created questions about Jones’ long-term future. Kurtis Rourke’s strong preseason debut generated speculation about the 49ers’ quarterback depth and Jones’ future with the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mac Jones playing today?
No. The 49ers do not have a game scheduled for Friday, August 21. Their previous preseason game was Thursday against the Chargers.
Is Mac Jones playing tonight?
No. San Francisco’s game against Los Angeles was played Thursday night and ended in a 41-17 49ers victory.
Did Mac Jones play against the Chargers?
Yes. Jones played quarterback for San Francisco and finished 6-of-13 passing for 89 yards.
Is Mac Jones injured?
There is no current report indicating that Jones suffered a new injury in the Chargers game. The latest postgame injury reports focused on other 49ers players.
When will Mac Jones play again?
The 49ers’ next preseason game is scheduled for August 27 against the Las Vegas Raiders. His participation and expected workload will depend on the team’s plans.
Final word
If you’re searching “Mac Jones playing today,” “Mac Jones playing tonight,” “will Mac Jones play today,” or “Mac Jones injury,” the key update is that Jones already played Thursday against the Chargers. He completed 6 of 13 passes for 89 yards in San Francisco’s 41-17 preseason victory.
There is currently no reported new injury keeping Jones out. The next major update should come from the 49ers’ practice reports ahead of their August 27 preseason matchup with Las Vegas.
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