San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy may have to wait until the team’s second preseason game against the Denver Broncos on August 20th to see his first game action. The plan, for now, is for Purdy to participate in joint practices with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday and Friday but not play in the preseason opener on Sunday.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that the team typically rests their starters during scrimmages and focuses more on practices than games. However, he did mention that the decision could change based on how the practices go. Shanahan has a history of prioritizing rest for his starters during the preseason, opting to give them more playing time in the second game.
Purdy underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on March 10th, so the team has been cautious with his recovery and rehabilitation. The goal is to have him fully ready for the regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10th.
Since the start of training camp on July 25th, Purdy has been following a two days on, one day off program. Shanahan previously stated that they hoped Purdy would be able to practice without a required day off about two weeks into camp. The coach confirmed that this milestone is approaching and is expected to happen next week.
While Purdy may not play in the preseason opener, Shanahan left open the possibility of him seeing game action at some point during the preseason. The team has other quarterbacks like Trey Lance, Sam Darnold, and Brandon Allen who can take reps in Purdy’s absence.
Shanahan emphasized that playing in preseason games is beneficial but not necessary for Purdy. Many players don’t participate in preseason games and still perform well during the regular season. However, getting some game experience can be helpful for players, especially those coming off injuries or surgeries.
One player who is unlikely to play in the preseason, regardless of his contract situation, is defensive end Nick Bosa. Bosa has been holding out of training camp as he awaits a contract extension that is expected to make him the highest-paid defender in NFL history. Despite his absence, the team remains confident that a deal will be reached.
General manager John Lynch expressed patience and optimism, stating that he believes the situation will work out in due time. Bosa is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off an impressive season where he led the league in sacks and won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Shanahan echoed Lynch’s sentiments and expressed no concern over Bosa’s contract stalemate. He has full confidence in Bosa’s preparation and believes that both sides will come to an agreement. While it would be ideal to have Bosa in camp, Shanahan is not worried about his absence affecting his performance during the regular season.
In conclusion, Brock Purdy is unlikely to play in the San Francisco 49ers’ preseason opener due to his recovery from elbow surgery. The team is prioritizing his health and rehabilitation to ensure he is ready for the regular-season opener. However, there is a possibility that Purdy may see game action at some point during the preseason. Meanwhile, Nick Bosa continues to hold out for a contract extension, but the team remains confident that a deal will be reached.