San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is set to return to action on Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills after missing a game due to a shoulder injury. Although he is officially listed as questionable, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Purdy is expected to play in the important primetime matchup. Purdy expressed his readiness to take the field in Buffalo, which was experiencing snow at the time.
Purdy discussed his recovery process with reporters, revealing that he made significant progress this week. He was able to throw consistently during Thursday’s practice, which was closed to the media due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Purdy felt confident about his recovery after this session and was also pleased with his performance in Friday’s practice.
Last week, Purdy underwent two MRIs after experiencing soreness in his shoulder following the 49ers’ Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The initial MRI showed no major issues, and the team was hopeful that Purdy could play in the following game against the Green Bay Packers. However, a second MRI was conducted when Purdy’s recovery seemed to stall.
Purdy reflected on the mental process during his recovery, noting how it’s important to understand the seriousness of an injury and how long it may take to heal. He was relieved when the second MRI confirmed that everything was fine and that the team had a plan in place for his return. With that reassurance, he felt ready to play against the Bills.
The quarterback shared that it had been a long time since he missed a game due to injury, recalling his high school junior year when he was sidelined by mononucleosis. Missing the Week 12 game against the Packers was an unusual and difficult experience for Purdy, making his return even more significant.
Purdy is confident in his ability to play without limitations, as he’s been able to make all the necessary throws in practice. He emphasized that if he steps onto the field, it means he’s fully healthy and capable of executing the game plan. Coach Shanahan backed this statement, affirming that Purdy wouldn’t play if he wasn’t 100%.
Despite his confidence, Purdy faces challenges in the game, particularly with the absence of key offensive linemen. Left tackle Trent Williams is out with an ankle injury, and left guard Aaron Banks is still in concussion protocol. Nevertheless, Purdy expressed trust in the backup linemen, such as Jaylon Moore and Ben Bartch, who have stepped up when needed. With their support, he is determined to keep the 49ers’ playoff hopes alive as they face the
9-2 Bills.
