If Adrian Martinez is fighting for his NFL roster life, it doesn't appear that the former Nebraska football star is in serious trouble.
Martinez is one of four quarterbacks currently on the San Francisco 49ers battling for a spot once the preseason is over. As of now, the ex-Husker looks like he's the odd man out. His performance in the second preseason game of the year certainly didn't help his case, even if he did show off why he's at least getting a shot to stick around.
Nebraska football alum Adrian Martinez throws two interceptions as 49ers QB3 battle tightens
The 49ers blew out the Chargers on Thursday night, and for the second straight game, the former Nebraska QB1 got ample opportunity to show he should at least be QB3 for the NFL team. Instead of playing a clean game that coaches would look at and decide they had no choice but to keep him, Martinez struggled badly, especially with turning the ball over.
Martinez completed just 8 of 17 passes for 57 yards. While he also rushed for 10 yards and a touchdown four times and threw for a TD, his two interceptions are bound to stand out the most to the guys making the cut-down call.
The former Nebraska quarterback has had serious accuracy issues in his first two preseason games. Last week, he completed just 16 of 30 attempts for 159 yards. While he didn't turn the ball over last week, he was sacked twice, so there's consistently at least one big strike against him.
It doesn't help that the player he's most likely competing against for a 49ers roster spot had a fantastic outing in his first (and so far only) preseason outing. Former Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is expected to be the frontrunner for QB3 behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
However, Rourke exited last week's game with an injury and didn't play on Thursday night, while Purdy, Martinez, and Jones all did.
It is possible that the ex-Nebraska football star could make the third quarterback spot by default, at least to start the season, if Rourke continues to be out. However, given Adrian Martinez's struggles so far this preseason, it's equally likely that, if the choice is Martinez or someone outside the franchise, San Francisco might go with the latter at this point.
The former Husker has worked hard over the last few years to try to catch on and cement himself as a valuable member of an NFL roster. Last year, he even made a very brief appearance in a regular-season game for the 49ers. Before that, he spent two straight pre-seasons trying to make the New York Jets' roster and ultimately going the XFL or practice squad route.
If there is a bright side to all of this, it's clear the ex-Nebraska star has every opportunity to prove he's essential to the roster. Considering the 49ers roster is one that is racking up injuries and seemingly always has problems keeping its quarterbacks healthy, Adrian Martinez could be in the perfect spot for extra chances.
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