SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy, the quarterback for San Francisco, engaged in light throwing exercises on Monday as he aims for a potential return this week after sitting out his first-ever game due to an injury. The 49ers are optimistic about his recovery.
Purdy sustained an injury to his throwing shoulder during a match against Seattle on November 17. Following the incident, he underwent two MRIs that confirmed there was no significant structural damage. However, discomfort was reported after he attempted a few throws in practice last Thursday, leading to his absence during the team’s loss to Green Bay this past Sunday, which they lost 38-10.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that Purdy managed to complete the light throwing session without pain and is scheduled to rest on Tuesday. The hope is that he can return to practice on Wednesday as the 49ers prepare for an upcoming game against Buffalo. “We allowed him to rest over the weekend to aid in his recovery,” Shanahan stated. “Today he practiced with lighter throws to evaluate the effects of the rest. We’ll monitor his progress and decide on Wednesday how he feels, then follow a similar procedure as last week.”
In Purdy’s absence, Brandon Allen stepped in for his first start since the 2021 season, completing 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards, along with one touchdown, one interception, and a fumble. Should Purdy be unable to play against Buffalo, Allen will likely take the starting position again.
The 49ers faced challenges beyond Purdy’s injury, with defensive end Nick Bosa sidelined due to injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams also missed the game due to an ankle injury. “We are waiting to see how they recover,” Shanahan remarked. “Last week didn’t yield favorable results for them, which is why they couldn’t participate. Both Nick and Trent are in a similar situation. We’ll assess their progress as the week unfolds, hoping for better outcomes than we saw last week.”
In addition to these injuries, linebacker Dre Greenlaw is set to return to practice this week for the first time since he tore his Achilles tendon during last season’s Super Bowl. However, he will likely need a few weeks of practice before he is cleared to play.
On a concerning note, offensive lineman Jon Feliciano will be out for the remainder of the season as his knee injury did not fully heal. With Feliciano’s three-week practice window ending on Monday, the decision was made to keep him on injured reserve instead of activating him.
Other players such as left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, and receiver Jacob Cowing are currently in concussion protocol as the week begins, leaving their availability uncertain. Furthermore, right guard Dominick Puni (shoulder) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday, and the team is waiting for those results.
For defensive tackle Kevin Givens, there is good news as he is expected to return to practice this week after missing the last four games due to a groin injury.