Third-string quarterbacks often don't see action in NFL games.
But even though it was just to kneel the ball and seal the 49ers' 34-24 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Mac Jones was sure to give Adrian Martinez the opportunity to make his first career NFL appearance.
After San Francisco got a first down with about a minute left in the fourth quarter, Jones motioned to the 49ers' sideline for Martinez, who received the final snap and took a knee.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE Following the win, Jones explained the subtle move, which turned out to be his own idea.
"[Coach Kyle Shanahan] already took his headset off, and I'm like, 'Go on, Adrian,'" Jones told reporters. "So I just subbed myself out, snuck to the sideline, but I was happy.
"I think Adrian was going to go in either way, and they wanted him to get in there, but when they scored, you just got to get the first down with the offense. So, once we were taking a knee, I definitely wanted Adrian to be there."
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Martinez, who went undrafted in 2022 out of Nebraska and Kansas State, was signed to San Francisco's practice squad in August as its No. 3 quarterback this season. Jones made it pretty clear that Martinez is a popular figure in the 49ers' locker room.
"He's just been awesome, to be honest," Jones said of the 25-year-old. "He's a good friend of mine. Just gotten to know him -- he's been a great voice in that room along with Brock [Purdy] and [Kurtis] Rourke as well, so we got a great room."
With Brock Purdy still dealing with a nagging turf toe injury, this might not be the last game action Martinez sees this season on a San Francisco squad that seems to get more banged up each week.