49ers Concerned About Kittle and Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers face a complicated situation after their recent victory against the Seattle Seahawks. The team could be without two of its key stars for the next match against the New Orleans Saints. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that tight end George Kittle will be out for “a few weeks” due to a hamstring injury suffered on Sunday. In addition, starting quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with injuries to his left shoulder and toe, the latter being the most concerning. Purdy’s injury severity is such that it is not yet known if he will be able to play on Sunday in New Orleans. “We have to see how he heals and how the week goes,” Shanahan stated.Although it’s not clear when or how Purdy injured his toe, Shanahan indicated that the shoulder injury occurred on an incomplete pass to receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first half of Sunday’s game. Despite taking a hit, Purdy continued playing and led the offense in the final quarter, completing 6 of 6 passes for 67 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Jake Tonges.
Purdy finished the game with 26 of 35 passes completed, 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 80.4. In case Purdy can’t play, Mac Jones, who signed with the 49ers in March, would be the starter. Shanahan mentioned that Jones had a good training camp before a minor knee sprain that kept him out of action for about a week at the end of the preseason. “He’s gotten very used to what we do,” Shanahan said. “He had a good practice week last week, really picking up where he left off. If he has to play this week, he’ll lead the guys, the guys will believe in him, and I know he’ll do his job at a high level.” In addition to Jones, the only other quarterback on the team is Adrian Martinez, who is on the practice squad. Shanahan said that “it’s a possibility” that the team could add another quarterback if Purdy is ruled out for Sunday, but that much of that will be determined in the next 24 hours and beyond. As for Kittle, the team already knows he will be out for a while. Luke Farrell, Tonges, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk will help cover his absence. Brayden Willis, a tight end on the practice squad, could be an option to be elevated for game days while Kittle is out. Shanahan stated that the 49ers “wouldn’t hesitate” to bring him up if needed. The most important decision with Kittle is whether to place him on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. “When they say a few weeks, it’s always a possibility,” Shanahan said. “To do that, it has to be a four-week injury, so I don’t think we’ve decided that yet.” In other injury matters, the 49ers are awaiting the results of a CT scan on wide receiver Jauan Jennings’ left shoulder. Shanahan said an MRI looked “good,” but the team still needed to see more before determining his status. The coach added that there’s a chance Jennings could play this weekend. Also, left guard Ben Bartch is questionable due to a “minor” knee sprain. Shanahan also indicated that the 49ers are considering their options at the kicker position this week. Jake Moody missed a 27-yard field goal attempt and had a 36-yard attempt blocked on Sunday. Since Week 10 of last season, Moody has made 12 of 23 attempts, putting his position in question. “There are options, whether it’s maintaining the status quo, bringing in guys for workouts, practice squad, but we’re looking at all of that right now,” Shanahan said. “I just got done with the team, and I know the personnel department is going to look at all that and give us those options.”
