An injury to the blossoming passer’s throwing shoulder will keep him out in Green Bay, though no IR stint should be expected. The 49ers believe Purdy will be ready to play against the Bills next week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes, as a high level of concern is not present.
While a return after one absence would help put Purdy back on track — as offseason extension talks are expected — the 49ers are in a difficult spot presently.
Also hopeful (per Schefter) that Trent Williams will play on Sunday, the 49ers will face the 7-3 Packers without their other two most important players. Nick Bosa is also out, dealing with hip and oblique injuries. The 49ers will face the 9-2 Bills on Sunday night next week.
Although the defending NFC champions have two more NFC West games left, they also host the surging Lions in Week 17. Williams is battling an ankle injury and did not practice this week. One of five All-Pros on San Francisco’s offense, the future Hall of Famer certainly would be vital to protecting Purdy’s backup.
As Brandon Allen prepares for his first start since Week 17 of the 2021 season — when Bengals HC Zac Taylor rested starters — ESPN’s FPI gives the 49ers just a 21.5 percent chance to make the playoffs. Allen, 32, has not made more than one start in a season since 2020. The 49ers added him shortly after the 2023 draft.
Sam Darnold beating Trey Lance for the backup job last year keyed the trade with the Cowboys, and Allen rose to the No. 3 role. Darnold’s offseason Vikings defection bumped him to the No. 2 job, and Josh Dobbs will back up the former sixth-round pick on Sunday.
Following Jalen Hurts in going toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in a Super Bowl, Purdy has established himself as the 49ers’ unquestioned starter. He ranks fifth in QBR this season and, in 2023, became the first passer to average at least 9.6 yards per attempt over a full season since the 1950s.
Although some rumblings around the league have suggested a Kirk Cousins
trade as a contingency plan in case the 49ers become leery of giving a former seventh-round pick a contract at or near the Dak Prescott rate, Purdy is expected to secure a top-market salary in 2025.
