SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a challenging season marred by injuries, Brock Purdy sustained a setback in his previously injured throwing elbow during a last-minute loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The injury unfolded in the final moments of a tight game that ended 40-34 against San Francisco, where Purdy was sacked by Brian Branch, resulting in an awkward fall that caused his elbow to collide with the face mask of defensive lineman Pat O’Connor.

Describing the pain, Purdy noted that his elbow felt “on fire” immediately after the hit, and he is set to undergo an MRI to assess the injury’s severity. “It doesn’t feel the best,” Purdy remarked, adding that it could be worse and expressing hope on his condition when results come in the next day.

Fortunately, early evaluations indicated that there was no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, which Purdy had previously injured during last season’s NFC Championship game in Philadelphia. Despite the recent challenges, he is optimistic about playing in the season finale on Sunday.

After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation in the offseason, Purdy had been eager to lead the 49ers again in the 2023 season. Coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the situation by explaining that Purdy had been hit in a sensitive area that impacted his ability to feel his arm properly.

Following Purdy’s exit from the game, Joshua Dobbs stepped in and managed to orchestrate a touchdown drive to conclude the game, but the loss solidified the 49ers’ place at the bottom of the NFC West standings, a stark contrast to their previous Super Bowl appearance.

Purdy’s injury marks yet another hurdle for a team already grappling with significant absences. Star players like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw have missed several games this season due to injuries.

The offensive line faced a daunting challenge, with Purdy directing the game behind third and fourth-string players at both left guard and left tackle. However, he started strong, delivering a near-perfect first half, featuring two touchdown passes and a rushing score, resulting in a flawless 158.3 passer rating at the time.

“We were in a groove,” Purdy recalled, emphasizing their aggressive approach to secure a win. He continued to perform well initially, throwing another touchdown pass at the start of the second half. But his performance took a turn late in the game as he suffered two interceptions against Kerby Joseph, ultimately dashing the team’s hopes for a comeback.

This season has presented numerous challenges for Purdy, who has struggled to replicate his exceptional performance from last year, where he topped the league with a 113 passer rating and an impressive 9.6 yards per attempt, finishing fourth in MVP voting. His statistics have notably decreased this season, with 20 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions.

Despite the ongoing injury concerns and the 49ers’ elimination from playoff contention, Purdy remains determined to play in the upcoming game against Arizona. He expressed a desire to end the season on a high note alongside his teammates, affirming his competitive spirit. “For me, it’s why wouldn’t I play for my team?” he stated. “I want to be out on the field any chance I get.”