Niners’ Jones to start again in Purdy’s place; Pearsall out

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the second consecutive week and the fourth time in the first six games, Mac Jones is expected to start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Jones was limited in practice all week because of left knee and oblique ailments and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Despite that, he is slated to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR radio Thursday.

“Pretty much already have [said he will play],” Shanahan said Friday, referring to his radio interview. “But you’ve got to put it that way if there’s any doubt at all. … It’s all recorded. I don’t think I have to repeat my answer.”

Jones’ fourth start comes as starting quarterback Brock Purdy continues to deal with a toe injury he suffered in Week 1 and aggravated in Week 4. Purdy did not practice this week and was officially ruled out Friday.

Jones did not do any strenuous throwing in Thursday’s practice, saying afterward that he was “saving” throws so he could be better prepared for Sunday’s game. He did, however, do some throwing Friday.

Jones expressed confidence he’d be able to play against the Bucs but acknowledged that much would depend on how the rest of the week plays out.

Jones’ knee injury happened in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and though he recovered, he aggravated it in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. He then strained his oblique on San Francisco’s final…