Brock Purdy will remain out of uniform today when the 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
Listed as questionable and having practiced more than last week, Purdy will again watch from the sidelines as he slowly recovers from right turf toe. He’ll be joined by Alfred Collins, the rookie defensive tackle who made a huge play in the 49ers’ 26-23 win over the Rams on Oct. 2.
Collins, who has already played through a shoulder separation, is sidelined with a hip injury.
Other 49ers who are inactive against the Rams are wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee), running back Jordan James, guard Connor Colby, defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez and safety Marques Sigle.
Players listed as questionable Friday who are good to go are linebacker Dee Winters (knee), linebacker Tatum Bethune (thigh), guard Ben Bartch (ankle), defensive tackle Kalia Davis (ankle) and defensive end Keion White (groin).
According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers decided last week that Purdy would not play in a backup role and when he returns will go straight into the starting lineup. Whether that will be in Week 11 on the road against the Arizona Cardinals will depend in the week of practice leading up to the game.
Tom Brady, the former New England quarterback who earned his job and never gave it up after Drew Bledsoe was injured in 2001, said in his role as a Fox Sports analyst, the 49ers should consider sticking with Mac Jones if he continues to play well.
“You gotta go with the hot hand,” Brady said on a live look-in before the game. “Yes, you stay with him. I’ve got to believe that’s why I’m still sitting here today because they went with the hot hand 25 years ago.”
Collins saved the first meeting against the Rams with a forced fumble and recovery at the goal line in overtime, which Shanahan has called one of the best he’s ever seen.
The way the 49ers’ rookie Collins bounced back from a shoulder injury in a loss to Houston won him even more points with the head coach.
“It was such a huge play that he made against the Rams and then I thought his best week was against Atlanta, Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area. “In Houston he separated his shoulder. Popped it out. Thought we were gonna miss him for the whole game. Went and popped his shoulder back in like Lethal Weapon style. Only missed one series and played through the whole game like that, which really impressed me.”
Listed as inactive for the Rams were quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, kicker Joshua Karty running back Jarquez Hunter long-snapper Alex Ward, offensive lineman Beaux Limmer, offensive lineman D.J. Humphries and defensive end Desjuan Johnson
Mike Shanahan’s candidacy
Kyle Shanahan’s father Mike Shanahan is one of nine semifinalists to be selected as a coach to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2026, but it will be tough sledding continuing the competition.
Kyle Shanahan won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos (1997-98) and also served as a head coach for the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington. He was the Offensive Coordinator under George Seifert for the 49ers when they won their last Super Bowl following the 1994 season.
Seifert is also a candidate, as is Mike Holmgren, a 49ers offensive coordinator under Bill Walsh from San Jose’s Oak Grove High who went on to win a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and coach Seattle to an AFC championship.
The others are Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker and Bill Arnsparger.
It’s a loaded field.
“He’s definitely someone who I think deserves to be in there, Kyle Shanahan said. “I think that’s not even in question. I know there are a lot of other guys who deserve that also. I do believe it’s a matter of time, hopefully sooner than later. But yeah, it would mean a lot.”
He believes his father is more hopeful than he lets on.
“Our family talks about it a lot. He doesn’t,” Shanahan said. “He doesn’t act like it’s that big of a deal, but I think we all know that’s wrong. We know it’s a big deal. It obviously is. But, that’s not something he dwells on too much, but he has all of us to do that for him.”