The 49ers had the ball for only 18 ½ minutes Sunday. It's an apt analogy for Mac Jones, whose time as San Francisco's starting quarterback is growing short.

San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones fired a strike to WR Kendrick Bourne, moving the chains with an 18-yard gain vs. the Texans.

With Brock Purdy continuing to miss time for the 49ers due to injury, Mac Jones has a great opportunity to maximize his earnings.

The San Francisco 49ers have been struggling with injuries all season, and it finally caught up with them. On Sunday, they lost 26-15 to the Houston Texans.

Jones is averaging a league-high 301.7 yards passing per game with six touchdowns passes to just one interception. He has not won four games as a starter in a single season since 2022. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was close to drafting Jones in the first round in 2021 before the 49ers ultimately picked Trey Lance .

Jones is 3-1 as a fill-in starter for San Francisco, has had 142 receiving yards in each of his last two games.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones locates tight end George Kittle for a 17-yard sliding grab against the Houston Texans.

The redemption arc of quarterback Mac Jones was fun while it lasted, but the San Francisco 49ers need starting QB Brock Purdy to return as soon as possible.