The San Francisco 49ers‘ starting quarterback is finally back.
Brock Purdy spoke about his toe injury and how he feels about returning to the 49ers starting lineup ahead of their Week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Purdy has not played since Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, missing San Francisco’s past six games due to turf toe and an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The toe injury has lingered on, forcing backup Mac Jones into action.
Jones is 5-3 as the 49ers starting quarterback, and went 3-3 in Purdy’s six-game absence. But the Niners have dropped three of their past five games, including their 42-26 to the rival Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
San Francisco (6-4) defeated the Cardinals 16-15 on Sept. 21 at Levi’s Stadium.
Brock Purdy Is ‘Excited To Be Back’ As the 49ers’ Starting QB
The will-he, won’t-he return thing with Purdy has consumed 49ers fans, particularly after it was reported that Purdy would return for Week 10 against the Rams then was in street clothes on the sidelines in Santa Clara on Sunday.
But in his availability with reporters Thursday, Purdy left no doubt.
“I feel really good, feel healthy and excited to be back and ready to go and lead the guys,” Purdy said. “I’m really excited about this week. It’s been a good week so far. Obviously we’ve got to finish out strong this week, but [I] feel really good.”
The Niners offense didn’t exactly scuffle with Jones at the helm, since the fifth-year quarterback guided them to 23.3 points per game over the past six. If not for Jones, who is seventh in the NFL in completion percentage (69.6) and has the same number of passing TDs (13) as Jordan Love and Caleb Williams, Purdy realizes the Niners’ season would be sunk.
“I absolutely love Mac and what he’s done,” Purdy said. “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.”
Brock Purdy Does Not Need Surgery On His Toe
There may be concern about Purdy’s toe the rest of the season, since coach Kyle Shanahan said last week Purdy may be dealing with pain from turf toe the rest of the season.
But according to Purdy himself, he did not need surgery and will not need it, at least as things stand now.
“I had a turf toe variation,” Purdy said. “But from multiple sources and doctors and everything, we looked at it, and they said there’s no need for surgery.”
Luckily, the 49ers will play six of their final seven regular-season games on natural grass, which should not further inflame the injury. The lone remaining game on artificial turf will be Dec. 22 against the Indianapolis Colts, when San Francisco visits Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday Night Football.
Beyond that, Purdy will probably have to play multiple games on turf in the playoffs — or as many as the 49ers qualify for. The Athletic gives the 49ers an 81 percent chance of making the playoffs but only a 6 percent shot of winning the NFC West entering Week 11.
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