49ers Face Texans Without Purdy: Week 8 Injury Report Analysis

The San Francisco 49ers head into Week 8 facing the Houston Texans with a mounting injury crisis that has defined much of their 2025 season. Despite sitting at 5-2, the Niners will be without several key players, most notably quarterback Brock Purdy, who remains sidelined with the toe injury that has plagued him for most of the campaign.

Purdy's Ongoing Absence and Mac Jones' Rise

Brock Purdy will miss his fourth consecutive game and sixth of the last seven weeks due to a persistent toe injury initially suffered in Week 1 and re-aggravated in Week 4. However, in what appears to be a positive development, Purdy will travel with the team to Houston for the first time since re-injuring the toe—a sign that his recovery is progressing, even if slowly.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan explained the significance of Purdy's travel status, noting that the quarterback didn't make the trips to Los Angeles or Tampa Bay to avoid complications from air pressure and to "maximize the amount of treatment." When asked why Purdy could travel to Texas when he didn't go to Florida two weeks ago, Shanahan's response was simple: "Just two weeks better."

Despite this encouraging sign, there remains considerable uncertainty about Purdy's return timeline. In a revealing conversation with NBC's Melissa Stark last Sunday, Purdy indicated that "any movement in the wrong direction can set him back," describing his injury as "truly day-to-day" with "no timeline for his return."

In Purdy's absence, Mac Jones has emerged as a surprisingly effective replacement. The former Patriots quarterback is 4-1 as a starter this season and has already triggered a $400,000 incentive bonus for winning four games. Jones leads the NFL with 280.8 yards passing per game and can earn an additional $100,000 every time he plays at least 25% of the snaps in a 49ers victory.

Complete Week 8 Injury Report

The 49ers' injury list extends well beyond their starting quarterback. According to the official Week 8 injury report, five players have been ruled out:

• QB Brock Purdy (toe)
• WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) - missing his fourth straight game after sustaining a PCL injury in Week 4
• C Jake Brendel (hamstring)
• DE Bryce Huff (hamstring)
• DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee, hamstring)

Three players are listed as questionable:

• OL Spencer Burford (knee) - still on injured reserve after suffering the injury in Week 2
• CB Deommodore Lenoir (quadriceps) - Shanahan expressed optimism about his availability
• LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)

On a positive note, several key players are not listed on the injury report, including receiver Jauan Jennings, who participated fully in practice despite dealing with ankle, rib, and shoulder issues.

Practice Squad Elevations and Roster Moves

To address their depleted roster, the 49ers are elevating two players from the practice squad: defensive lineman Trevis Gipson and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj. Both players were promoted for last week's game and will use their third and final standard elevations for this contest.

Zakelj's presence will be particularly crucial given Brendel's absence at center. The offensive lineman saw action rotating with Connor Colby at left guard last week before taking over backup center duties after Brendel's hamstring injury.

Notably, the 49ers did not elevate a receiver this week after promoting Malik Turner last weekend, suggesting that rookie Jordan Watkins may be ready for his season debut. Watkins was not listed on the injury report and could join a receiving corps that includes Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore.

Silver Lining: Brandon Aiyuk's Return on Horizon

In what represents the best injury news the 49ers have received in weeks, Kyle Shanahan revealed that star receiver Brandon Aiyuk could return to practice as early as next week. Aiyuk has been out since tearing his ACL on October 20, 2024, against Kansas City, with extensive damage to other ligaments complicating his recovery timeline.

"I think we're week to week now, so hopefully it'll be sooner than later," Shanahan said. The team can open a 21-day practice window for Aiyuk to ramp up before returning to game action. His potential return would provide a massive boost to an offense that has managed to remain productive despite missing its top receiver. Aiyuk recorded 1,342 yards receiving and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023.

Resilience Despite Adversity

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 49ers' 2025 season is their ability to maintain a winning record despite unprecedented injury challenges. Their 5-2 record has been built on the shoulders of backup players stepping up, with Mac Jones leading the charge at quarterback.

The recent 20-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons exemplified this resilience, with running back Christian McCaffrey exploding for over 200 all-purpose yards and posting his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. The defensive effort, limiting the Falcons to just one touchdown and one field goal, demonstrated the team's ability to win games without relying solely on offensive fireworks.

The Houston Challenge

The matchup against the Texans (2-4) presents both opportunity and danger for San Francisco. Houston ranks fifth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, presenting a stiff challenge for Jones and the 49ers' passing attack. The Texans will also be dealing with their own injury issues, with star receiver Nico Collins ruled out after suffering a concussion and Christian Kirk out with a hamstring injury.

The game kicks off at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT) at NRG Stadium in Houston and will be broadcast on FOX. With both teams dealing with significant injuries, this contest may come down to which team's backup players can execute most effectively.

Looking Ahead

For the 49ers, the Week 8 contest represents another test of their organizational depth and coaching excellence. While Purdy's presence on the sideline in Houston offers hope that his return may be approaching, the team has demonstrated it can win without him. The potential return of Aiyuk in the coming weeks could provide the offensive boost needed to maintain their position atop the NFC standings.

As the season progresses, San Francisco's ability to navigate these injury challenges while maintaining competitive excellence will define their championship aspirations. For now, they remain focused on the task at hand: extending their winning streak with the players available, regardless of who takes the field.