Nick Wagoner, ESPN Workforce Essayist
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Lower than 48 hours then their loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night time, the San Francisco 49ers had a miracle and demanding addition to their shock document: quarterback Brock Purdy.
Teacher Kyle Shanahan introduced Wednesday afternoon that Purdy is within the NFL’s concussion protocol then taking part in all of Monday night time’s recreation, resignation spare Sam Darnold to step in at observe life Purdy recovers. Purdy made it by way of Monday’s recreation with none obvious problems however started feeling signs because the group was once touring again to the Bay Section.
“He started getting symptoms on the plane,” Shanahan mentioned. “We finally found that out when we landed. We were all pretty asleep, but then he got all checked up yesterday and now he’s in the protocol.”
Shanahan and the Niners had been not sure when within the recreation Purdy suffered the shock, however Shanahan mentioned there have been negative observable indicators when speaking with Purdy or in his efficiency. Purdy didn’t pull many hits, however he did struggle a couple of quarterback sneaks halfway throughout the fourth quarter which Shanahan said would possibly had been the place it took place.
Video replay of the primary of the ones makes an attempt, which got here on a third-and-1 with 7:03 left within the recreation, presentations Purdy making an attempt to run in the back of left cover Aaron Banks to pick out up the primary ailing as Minnesota linebacker Jordan Hicks runs into the aggregate and makes helmet-to-helmet touch with Purdy.
Nearest that sneak struggle, Purdy went 2-of-5 (now not together with a spike to forbid the clock) for 20 yards with two interceptions to complete the sport. The concussion analysis places Purdy’s condition for Sunday’s recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals in query. Shanahan mentioned that, through the principles of the concussion protocol, Purdy does have plenty year to sunny it so that you can move towards the Bengals.
The concussion analysis places Purdy’s condition for Sunday’s recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals in query. Shanahan mentioned that, through the principles of the concussion protocol, Purdy does have plenty year to sunny it so that you can move towards the Bengals.
Defensive finish Nick Bosa went throughout the procedure within the playoffs then the 2021 season, maintaining a concussion in a wild card win towards Dallas and after returning for the NFC divisional spherical towards Inexperienced Bay. He mentioned Wednesday the method will also be tough.
“It definitely can weigh on you emotionally,” Bosa mentioned. “If it’s a severe enough thing it can kind of send you into a bit of a depression if you do have a head injury. But for me it wasn’t too bad. It’s a pretty intense, drawn-out deal, which is good. But I passed all my tests. You have to go to an independent lady to do a bunch of cognitive stuff and hopefully (Purdy) gets it done.”
It wouldn’t be the primary year this season the Niners had a participant undergo a concussion one moment and play games the upcoming. Preserve Jon Feliciano did it in Weeks 4 and 5, turning back step in for an injured Aaron Banks at left cover towards the Dallas Cowboys then coping with a concussion towards the Arizona Cardinals.
However there’s a smaller window for Purdy to return again since the Niners performed on “Monday Night Football” and play games once more Sunday. As a result of the scale down moment, the 49ers had a walk-through on Wednesday afternoon.
In keeping with Shanahan, Purdy was once already feeling higher Wednesday than Tuesday and would be capable of take part in portions of the walk-through as he is going throughout the protocol. Shanahan added there isn’t a collection time wherein Purdy will have to sunny the protocol, mentioning a Thursday night time recreation utmost December wherein Purdy performed on scale down residue with out working towards.
“Brock didn’t take a practice rep versus Seattle on “Thursday Evening Soccer” until pregame warmups, and he had to shut those down a little bit, too,” Shanahan mentioned. “So, he didn’t really get a real rep that week until Play 1 and he played pretty good. So, probably stick with that.”
If Purdy is unavailable, the Niners will flip to Darnold, whom they signed as a independent agent in March and who beat out Trey Lance for the spare task. Darnold has performed handiest in mop-up accountability this season, however Shanahan mentioned he believes Darnold is in a position if wanted.
“I have as much confidence in Sam as I could have with someone that I haven’t gotten into a real NFL game with,” Shanahan mentioned. “He was great in the offseason. He’s been great here in these seven weeks so far and he’s always ready to go.”
One alternative shock to observe this moment is left take on Trent Williams’ sprained proper ankle. Williams didn’t play games towards the Vikings, partially with an optical towards this moment’s recreation but in addition as a result of the factitious floor in Minnesota.
Shanahan mentioned Williams may just observe once Thursday, although there’s negative definitive timeline on his go back.
“He wouldn’t have been out there close to 100%,” Shanahan mentioned. “Hopefully he has a better chance to get there this week.”
