How Mac Jones gives 49ers rare luxury as capable, experienced backup QB

It is difficult to find a good backup quarterback. It is even more difficult to keep one around.The 49ers wisely signed Mac Jones to a two-year contract in the offseason. The plan is for the 49ers to have the same backup quarterback in consecutive seasons for the first time since Nick Mullens served that role behind Jimmy Garoppolo in 2019 and 2020.Jones’ first start came in his second game with the 49ers, with Brock Purdy out with a toe injury. And he did not have the typical supporting cast with the 49ers. George Kittle is on injured reserve.“There were a number of things that we had to change up, especially with Kittle out and the stuff we had to do with the other tight ends,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said following the team’s 26-21 victory.“We were scrambling there for a little bit trying to figure some things out. He handled the situation well.”No wide receiver other than Ricky Pearsall has practiced with the team for more than two weeks. And Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk exited early with a concussion.But Jones was making his 51st career start, including one in the postseason. And he looked the part. His experience showed.He took what...