QB Brock Purdy Unlikely To Play In Week 2

Early-season injuries continue to pile up for the 49ers. Quarterback Brock Purdy is unlikely to be available for San Francisco’s Week 2 contest.

[RELATED: 49ers To Place George Kittle On IR]

Purdy is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered during the team’s season opener along with turf toe. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic) Purdy will not practice today. More importantly, he added it is currently considered a “long shot” the recently-extended passer will be available on Sunday.

Any missed time in Purdy’s case would of course deal a notable blow to the 49ers’ offense, and it appears this situation may not only entail a one-week absence. Shanahan said (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport) Purdy could miss multiple games while recovering. For the time being, attention will turn to backup QB Mac Jones and his ability to lead a unit which is notably shorthanded.

Tight end George Kittle will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks due to a hamstring injury. Top receiver Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, continues to recover from last year’s ACL and MCL tears; he opened the season on the reserve/PUP list. As a result, Aiyuk will not be available until Week 5 at the earliest. Losing Purdy for any period of time will weaken an offense already lacking its top pass-catching options.

Injuries to Trey Lance and then Jimmy Garoppolo opened the door for Purdy to take over starting duties during his rookie season. The former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ thrived in the QB1 role, and by the time the 2025 offseason arrived it was clear he was viewed as San Francisco’s preferred option for a long-term commitment. Extension talks resulted a five-year, $265MM deal being worked out in May. Purdy later stated resetting the QB market was not his intention during negotiations.

Still, at an average annual value of $53MM, the 25-year-old’s accord carries substantial expectations. Purdy is on the books through 2030. As such, a cautious approach with respect to his injury rehab on the part of the 49ers can of course be expected.

Jones joined the 49ers in free agency this spring. The former first-rounder failed to duplicate the success of his rookie season with the Patriots, and a trade to the Jaguars allowed for a fresh start in 2024. Jones made seven starts while filling in for the injured Trevor Lawrence, giving him a total of 49 in his career. That figure is now set to increase.