The San Francisco 49ers have somehow managed to hold the line and start the season a perfect 3-0. Now some reinforcements appear to be on the way.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed to reporters on Monday that he expects quarterback Brock Purdy to be back at practice this week, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Shanahan adds that Purdy will be ready to go on Wednesday and that the team will evaluate him from there.
The former Pro Bowler Purdy has missed the last two games for San Francisco due to a turf toe injury. But Shanahan’s update would seem to indicate that Purdy has a chance to return in Week 4 against Jacksonville.
49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones has done pretty well in Purdy’s absence. He threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints and then threw for 284 yards and another touchdown in a Week 3 win over the division rival Arizona Cardinals.
But the 25-year-old Purdy, who signed a mammoth $265 million extension with the 49ers over the offseason, raises the ceiling of the entire offense. A return after just two games missed would also be a major positive given how troubling the initial information was on Purdy’s injury.
Despite their perfect record, San Francisco still needs all of the help that they can get right now. For one, Purdy’s return would help ease the blow of the enormous gut punch that the 49ers just suffered to their defense this week.
