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Nick Wagoner, ESPN writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s status for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain after a second straight day of limited practice participation.
Purdy, who is dealing with soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder, was on the practice field during the first part of Thursday’s session open to reporters. He did some light throwing in the early periods before hitting the weight room. He did not return to the practice field for the rest of the time that reporters were allowed to observe and then did not hold his usual Thursday afternoon news conference.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR Radio in San Francisco that Purdy actually progressed from Wednesday to Thursday, but he made it clear that there are still obstacles to overcome for Purdy to play in Green Bay.
“He was still limited today,” Shanahan said Thursday. “He didn’t do as much yesterday, he did a little more today, but he was by no means doing his normal workload. He went out and did a little bit and came back about halfway through, rested his arm and just continued to get his rehab done. “Hopefully feel great on Sunday.”
Purdy first appeared on the injury report Monday when Shanahan discussed injuries stemming from Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Shanahan said then that Purdy would be considered day to day due to the shoulder injury.
On Wednesday, Shanahan said he didn’t have much concern “at this point” about Purdy sitting out the Packers game, adding, “We’ll see how it goes this week.” Shanahan reiterated Thursday that he didn’t believe the shoulder was a problem against Seattle, but he did acknowledge that the soreness was likely a result of the multiple hits Purdy took against the Seahawks.
Purdy has dealt with injuries throughout the week and has played in games before. In 2022, he played against Seattle on a Thursday night in Week 15 despite not pitching before the game due to a rib and oblique issue.
If Purdy can’t play against Green Bay, the Niners would likely turn to veteran Brandon Allen as a starter. Allen has started nine regular-season games since entering the league as a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. Three of those starts came for the Denver Broncos in 2019, and the other six for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020 and 2021. He has been with the 49ers since 2023 and has yet to start a game in San Francisco, but he has been leading the scout team against the defense for a while. much of that time.
“I’ve always liked him,” Niners defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said. “I thought he did very well last year when he did things. He’s been in the league a long time. He’s played in a lot of systems. He’s got a great arm. He’s a good quarterback.”
In addition to Allen, the Niners have Josh Dobbs on the depth chart and rookie Tanner Mordecai is on the practice squad. According to the Niners, one of those quarterbacks will be available to speak with reporters on Friday, which should offer a clue as to Purdy’s progress.
Purdy isn’t the only key Niner with a tenuous injury status heading into Sunday’s game. Defensive end Nick Bosa (left hip and oblique) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) again did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Both players sat out the first two days of practice last week, with Bosa participating Friday and Williams sitting out before both played against the Seahawks.
Shanahan told KNBR this week was expected to play out similarly with both.
“[Trent] “He’s in danger just like Nick is,” Shanahan said. “And it was the same thing last week. … When it comes to guys like Trent or guys like Nick because of who they are, because of their history and also because of the position that they play, those guys, regardless of how this week goes, they will have all the way up until the start or whenever it is the last thing we can decide.
