SANTA CLARA – Brock Purdy’s return as the 49ers’ starting quarterback comes with questions, most of which he answered himself after Thursday’s practice.
It was his first media session in over a month as he sat out a six-game stretch. Here are five key insights heading into Sunday’s game between the 49ers (6-4) and the host Arizona Cardinals (3-6):
1. On the frustration of missing six straight starts and eight overall since the Week 1 toe injury and Week 4 aggravation:
Purdy: “Yeah, it’s been frustrating, obviously. Going into Year 4, I wanted to come in and play my best ball so far in my career and was really excited about it. We come in, play Seattle and win on the road and just feeling really good about the year and then all of a sudden, like, I’m just dealing with the toe thing and it has been frustrating. Just the time missed and seeing our team and the opportunity to go and win games, put a season together and feel good about it. So, it’s just been frustrating for sure. But, at the same time, this is just the cards that I’ve been dealt with and I’m not trying to be, ‘woe was me,’ kind of thing. We still have seven games here to go and put something together and our goals are right in front of us. So, that’s how I’m looking at it. I’m excited about it.”
2. On if returning in Week 4 after a two-game hiatus was a mistake, as he got hurt again in that loss to Jacksonville:
Purdy: “No. Going into that week, I felt good. I really did. And I thought I was going to be good to go. I just unfortunately got caught in a bad position with my toe again and just reaggravated it. And so, that’s sort of just what happened. And looking back on it, I’m a competitor, I want to go out and lead and I felt good throughout the week to be able to go out and lead our guys to win and play good quarterback. It’s just unfortunate that I got caught in that position.”
3. On how tender that big toe is on his right foot and when it’s compromised most:
Purdy: “Just more so movement. Running and scrambling and all those kind of things. You know, dropping back and throwing, it’s been pretty good for a while. But, to play quarterback in the NFL, things happen and to be myself and play like myself, I have to move a little bit, and I just wasn’t able to get there for a while. But, now I feel really good and I feel ready to go.”
4. On if surgery was under consideration, something Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow endured after his Week 2 turf toe injury:
Purdy: “No, no. I had a turf toe variation, if that’s what you want to call it, but from multiple sources and doctors and everything, we looked at it and they said there’s no need for surgery.”
5. On what makes this the right time to return after Mac Jones’ impressive work going 5-3 as his replacement:
Purdy: “Absolutely love Mac and what he has done. He came in and played extremely well and kept our team alive and moving and going. And so, I appreciate him for that and just everything he’s brought to our team. But, for me it’s been, ‘How do I feel physically?’ It has nothing to do with I need to get back out there for the political side of things. It’s been all about how do I feel really good to go out and lead when I do get back? And so obviously it took six games, sadly, on the second side of things after reaggravating it. But, I want to be smart about this with my career and everything, but at the same time I’m ready to roll and we’ve got seven games ahead of us that I’m really excited about.”