49ers’ Brock Purdy Has Nerve Issue in Elbow; Status TBD vs. Cardinals amid Injury
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVDecember 31, 2024
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy reportedly suffered a nerve issue in his right elbow late in Monday’s 40-34 loss against the Detroit Lions and will undergo further testing on Tuesday, as head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters.
He wouldn’t commit to Purdy playing in Week 18’s regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, leaving open the possibility that Purdy’s season is over.
Purdy provided his own update after the game:
Matt Barrows @mattbarrowsBrock Purdy said initial tests on his UCL (elbow ligament) were ok, but that his arm felt “on fire” after he was sacked and his from behind. He said he’ll have an MRI tomorrow to get a better idea of the severity of the issue.
Since taking over as San Francisco’s starter in the 2022 season, Purdy has largely stayed healthy. He was knocked out of the NFC Championship Game that season with a torn UCL but returned for the start of the 2023 season, throwing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 games, ultimately guiding the Niners to the Super Bowl (he was rested in Week 18 with San Francisco assured the top overall seed).
He’s largely been healthy this season as well, though he missed Week 12’s 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers with soreness in his right shoulder.
Injuries and underachieving have been the prevailing storylines for San Francisco this year, with Brandon Aiyuk out for the year and players like Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel dealing with injuries throughout the campaign.
In the process, the Niners have gone just 6-10 on the season, a far cry from the team that went 12-5 last season and lost in the Super Bowl.
Josh Dobbs relieved Purdy on San Francisco’s final drive of the game Monday night and seemingly would be in line to start next week as well, though Kyle Allen would also be a possibility.
