Brock Purdy Could Return to the Field Against the Cardinals
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy could return this week against the Arizona Cardinals, after missing Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints due to a toe injury. Last week, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan considered Purdy a “long shot” to play against the Saints, almost completely ruling him out five days before that game. However, Shanahan adopted a different and more positive tone on Wednesday, indicating that Purdy will participate in limited training and answering the question of whether Purdy could be under center for Sunday’s home game.Purdy has been dealing with toe and left shoulder injuries, suffered in the Week 1 victory against the Seattle Seahawks. According to Shanahan, the toe has been the most significant problem and the main reason why Purdy didn’t play against the Saints. Initially, Shanahan said it was “possible” that Purdy would miss several games, but both he and general manager John Lynch have indicated that the injury would be evaluated weekly. Purdy was seen in the 49ers’ locker room after the victory in New Orleans and seemed to be moving well, responding to reporters “we’ll see” when asked about his status for Week 3. Shanahan also left the door open for Purdy’s return this week after that game. Although the Niners would prefer not to use Purdy unless he is fully recovered from the injury, which Shanahan has described as similar to “turf toe”, Shanahan acknowledged that there is a possibility that Purdy will act as a substitute against the Cardinals if he continues to progress. If Purdy can’t play on Sunday, the Niners would re-align Mac Jones, who threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in his debut with San Francisco against the Saints. Adrian Martinez, the practice squad quarterback, was promoted to be Jones’ backup in that game. In the locker room on Wednesday, several Niners players expressed their confidence in the quarterback, regardless of whether it’s Purdy or Jones who plays against the Cardinals.He wasn’t limited last week. He has a chance to play.
Kyle Shanahan
Although Purdy seems to be progressing well, the 49ers were also preparing to practice on Wednesday without several key players. McCaffrey (calf/rest), defensive end Nick Bosa (rest), left tackle Trent Williams (knee/rest), receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle) and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (concussion) were among those who, according to Shanahan, would not participate. Also on Wednesday, the 49ers placed starting left guard Ben Bartch on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, which will sideline him for at least the next four games. Rookie Connor Colby is expected to fill in for Bartch in the lineup.In this league, whether you’re a starter or a substitute, you have to be ready to play at any moment. In the NFL, you never know. It’s a league with a lot of talent and many great players on the field. And Mac is obviously someone who has already proven his worth, but having him as our substitute is huge.
Christian McCaffrey
