Kyle Shanahan Drops a Brutal Truth About Brock Purdy’s Injury That 49ers Fans Didn’t Want to Hear.QQ
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged for the first time Sunday that quarterback Brock Purdy’s turf toe is unlikely to heal this season.
Purdy has missed the past five games after he aggravated the injury in Week 4. He was officially ruled questionable ahead of Sunday’s 34-24 road win over the Giants, but the 49ers ultimately listed him among their inactive players. He traveled with the team but was not observed warming up at MetLife Stadium pregame.
“It’s something that probably won’t fully go away all year,” Shanahan said. “Regardless of when he comes back, he’s going to always have to deal with it a little bit. And especially with the people you talk to who have gone through turf toe, it’s really just about assessing when’s the best time to come back (so) that you have to deal with it the least. It’s a little bit of a tricky decision.”
In his two starts this season, Purdy played every snap but subsequently reported discomfort the next day. He first injured his toe in the season opener. Turnover issues plagued both of his outings as he threw four touchdown passes and as many interceptions. He also fumbled late in the Niners’ loss to the Jaguars in the season opener.
Purdy is 1-1 as the starter this season, while backup Mac Jones has led the 49ers to a 5-2 record in his starts. Jones completed 19 of his 24 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns and a 135.2 passer rating against the Giants. He also opened the game with 14 consecutive completions.
Across seven starts, Jones has thrown for 1,832 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 67.2 completion percentage – his highest such mark since he was a rookie standout. Jones completed 67.6% of his passes that year, which pegged him as a Pro Bowl pick and runner-up for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The 49ers will continue to ease Purdy into practices, with a goal to avoid bringing him back too early. He has been a limited practice participant for three straight weeks.
Shanahan said he “wasn’t that close” to having Purdy serve as either the backup or an emergency third: “I considered it throughout the week, but I just want to make sure he gets 100% better and don’t put him out there too early.”
Unfortunately for Shanahan and company, their franchise quarterback who signed a $265 million extension in the offseason may not be truly “100%” until next season.
