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Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the fourth straight week, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited during practice on Wednesday. However, this week’s status comes with an updated perspective from coach Kyle Shanahan.
«It’ll be an aggressive practice,» Shanahan noted. «We need to classify him as limited if it’s not exactly the standard practice.»
Shanahan expressed optimism for Purdy, indicating that the aim is to increase his practice involvement with the No. 1 offense, targeting a return to the starting position for the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
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In addition, the 49ers are looking to have receiver Ricky Pearsall return from a right knee injury. Pearsall, who has been sidelined since Week 4, participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since the injury.
«I’ve been informed that he is healthy, so I will assess this during practice, and I’m confident he’ll demonstrate that,» Shanahan said. «If he proves to be fit, he’ll be available.»
Purdy has been out of action since aggravating a right toe injury during a Week 4 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a condition he initially sustained in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. After missing two games, he returned for the Jacksonville matchup.
In recent weeks, Purdy has participated in practice in a limited capacity, with thoughts of using him as a backup, but the team opted against it, believing that if he is fit enough to play, he should start.
«I feel each week has been an improvement,» Shanahan stated. «Last week was the most positive. Each week has varied, so if he shows significant progress this week like he did before, he should have a solid chance to play.»
Though Purdy has missed the prior six games due to his toe issue, Mac Jones has stepped up well. In his eight starts this season, Jones currently ranks second in the NFL with an average of 268.9 passing yards per game, eighth in completion percentage over expectation (3.1), ninth in completion percentage (69.6), and tenth in yards per attempt (7.4).
Jones carries a 65.1 QBR, positioned 12th in the league, while the Niners hold a 5-3 record in games he has started. Despite the team’s success, Shanahan has made it clear that Purdy will return as the starter when he is sufficiently healthy.
However, the timeline remains uncertain, as Shanahan has also mentioned that Purdy may not achieve «full» health this season, meaning the toe issue will persist for the remainder of the campaign.
Nevertheless, Shanahan confirmed on Wednesday that the starting job remains with Purdy once he is capable of playing at his usual level, a level for which he earned a franchise-record $265 million contract in May.
«The decision is straightforward,» Shanahan said. «It’s predominantly about Brock’s fitness. Mac has shown fantastic performance. Yet, we place high trust in Brock… as long as he’s fit.»
For Purdy to make his comeback against Arizona, he must clear all three practices this week without any setbacks. Shanahan emphasized that he desires Purdy to return only when he can perform at his best, which includes his mobility as needed.
This week, Shanahan is also looking for Purdy to throw with his usual velocity and move as he typically does to evaluate how close he is to reclaiming his typical form.
During the open practice session on Wednesday, Purdy exhibited more engagement in individual drills than he had in recent weeks. When the time approaches to select the starting quarterback against the Cardinals, Shanahan will rely on Purdy’s performance in practice along with Purdy’s own feedback on his condition.
Shanahan acknowledged on Wednesday that Purdy «felt somewhat off» prior to his return against Jacksonville. He added that should Purdy comeback, the Niners are optimistic about his performance.
«We all recognize how effectively Brock has played previously,» Shanahan remarked. «He performed exceptionally against Seattle, and I believe he struggled against Jacksonville, which is why a return then may have been premature. I am confident when Brock comes back, he’ll perform at the high level expected of a top quarterback.»
Additionally, on the injury report, the 49ers listed key defensive players — linebacker Dee Winters (knee) and defensive tackle Alfred Collins (hip) — as limited participants, while only running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams were absent due to veteran rest days.
