Brock Purdy is set to reclaim his position as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in their upcoming match against the Arizona Cardinals on November 5, 2023. This marks a significant return for Purdy, who has been sidelined for eight of the last ten games due to a turf toe injury.
“I’m in a really good spot. It’s the best I’ve felt this year,” Purdy stated after fully participating in Thursday’s practice, despite inclement weather. He acknowledged the challenges of playing through injuries, saying, “When you play the sport, that’s just the case—guys are going to play banged up.” Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the decision to reinstate Purdy as the starter, benching Mac Jones, who has led the team for the past six games.
Purdy’s return comes after a victory against the New York Giants on November 2, where Shanahan noted that Purdy’s toe would not be fully healed for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, Purdy expressed confidence in his ability to perform at a high level. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help lead this team,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to making a playoff run.
The quarterback signed a franchise-record contract earlier this year, valued at five years and $265 million. Purdy clarified that his comeback is not to justify the 49ers’ investment in him or to diminish Jones’ contributions. “I absolutely love Mac and what he’s done,” he said, praising Jones for his performance during his tenure as starter.
Purdy’s offensive coordinator, Klay Kubiak, noted his increased confidence as key to his return. “It’s not about appearances as much as how Purdy’s right big toe responds to his running and scrambling,” Kubiak explained. Purdy added, “Dropping back and throwing has been pretty good for a while, but to play quarterback in the NFL, I need to move a little bit.”
While Purdy did not require surgery for his injury, he did experience some setbacks during his recovery, including aggravating the injury during a prior game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 28. Teammate George Kittle is eager for Purdy’s return, stating, “I think that will get going pretty fast,” referring to their dynamic as a pass-catching duo.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is also anticipated to return after a six-game absence due to a knee injury. He expressed his excitement about playing alongside Purdy again, saying, “I’m happy to see Brock back and healthy.”
In other team news, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir appeared on the injury report with a calf issue, adding to the list of players who have sustained injuries during Thursday practices this season. This season has seen eight players affected, including notable names like running back Christian McCaffrey.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh addressed the team’s recent struggles, particularly after a disappointing 42-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He expressed optimism about the team’s younger players, stating, “They want to fix mistakes. Practice today was outstanding.”
As the 49ers prepare for their match against the Cardinals, the focus will be on Purdy’s ability to lead and the overall health of the team as they aim to secure a playoff berth.
