Jones, despite his performance, was quick to dismiss any rumblings of a changing of the guard — even if the chatter is growing in volume.

“I think, you know, they brought me here to play as a backup and that’s my job,” said Jones, who connected with former Patriots teammate Kendrick Bourne 10 times for 142 yards. “Brock’s the starter of this team and right now he’s dealing with something. For him to go out there last week and play, when you know, he probably wasn’t at full health, like, he cares about this team. So, I’m just trying to get some wins for him, so it helps us down the line. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Like, I’ve been in his position. I’ve been a starter, and you want your backup to go in there and win because at the end of the season, that could be the hit or miss between a playoff or not.”

Jones was a hit from onset of Thursday’s game, spearheading an eight-play, 72-yard opening drive in which he carved up the Rams. Absolutely humming, Jones was 5 of 5 for 77 yards on the opening salvo, culminating with a 6-yard scoring toss to tight end Jake Tonges, who’s filled in excellently for Kittle.

On the 49ers’ ensuing drive, Jones marched his club 91 yards in 17 plays and 8:15. Two snaps after hooking up with Demarcus Robinson for 18 yards on third-and-6, Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown to Christian McCaffrey.

The Rams fought back, however, and though Jones still played well, his toughness and ability just to keep playing became the story.

“Definitely a lot of things happened, but I feel good,” said Jones, who’s been dealing with a PCL sprain since training camp. “Just working through some stuff and, yeah, I mean, I was able to play, so that’s all that matters. But I feel like I can protect myself, then I feel like it’s my job to be out there.”

With San Francisco leading, 17-7, in the third quarter, Jones was obliterated by Jared Verse. Jones rolled over and immediately clinched his left leg under the brace, clearly in pain. He would eventually jog to the sideline, never missing a snap.

Later, his forearm became an issue, as well, and he was hit hard once again, forced to peel himself off the turf with his pants hanging low and having to be helped to the sideline.

“He hurt his knee for a little bit there but he ended up bouncing back from that,” Shanahan said. “His forearm was cramping there in the second half and in the fourth quarter. It was bothering him, but he worked through it.”

Jones kept getting up. So too did the 49ers, who had squandered a 14-point lead in the first half and a 20-7 advantage in the third quarter. Los Angeles tied it at 20 early in the fourth, but Jones and Co. kept on keeping on.

The quarterback came out firing in OT, completing five straight passes to open the period, garnering three first downs before he was sacked and the 49ers were forced to settle for a field goal.

The defense was able to make it stick for the win, though. Not long after, Jones was at the podium.

He drew plenty of attention before and after the game sporting a red-and-black split-colored suit (perhaps even NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe).

“I wear suits because I’m going to work,” Jones said.

Jones definitely put in some work on Thursday, and he’ll likely have more ahead. So far, that’s worked out well for the first-place 49ers.