The Los Angeles Rams will be facing a severely shorthanded San Francisco 49ers team on Thursday night. Ahead of this marquee game between NFC West rivals, the 49ers ruled out several key starters.

They will not have Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings, as all three have been ruled out for Week 5. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins and defensive end Robert Beal have also been ruled out, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

This will be the third game missed for Purdy in 2025; he suffered a toe injury in Week 1, missed Weeks 2 and 3 but returned last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He didn’t come out of that game clean and will now be sidelined once again.

In Purdy’s place, the 49ers will turn to Mac Jones, who said this week that the Rams have the best defense in the NFL.

Pearsall leads the team with 327 yards receiving and Jennings ranks third with 129 yards; Christian McCaffrey is second with 305 yards receiving.

This means the 49ers will now be without their leading passer, top two wide receivers, tight end George Kittle and pass rusher Nick Bosa. There may not be a team in the NFL with more injuries than San Francisco, and the Rams are catching them at a perfect time.

It’s possible the Rams will face backup quarterbacks in consecutive weeks because Lamar Jackson isn’t certain to play against Los Angeles in Week 6 due to a hamstring injury.

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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 49ers rule out 3 key starters vs. Rams, including QB Brock Purdy
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect