All signs point toward Brock Purdy being active on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. It will be the first time he has suited up for a regular-season NFL game after being inactive for Weeks 1 and 2. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was the emergency quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks after starter Trey Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury.
San Francisco made Purdy the last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft—Mr. Irrelevant. However, the rookie quarterback has been pretty relevant for the 49ers this year. Coaches were pleased with what he showed in training camp and the preseason. So pleased that Purdy beat out Nate Sudfeld.
"He steps into that huddle, and it's his huddle," general manager John Lynch said of Purdy after the 53-man roster was assembled. "And not afraid to throw into small windows. There's just a lot to like, and he just earned that spot. ... If you have a guy like him, you don't want to expose him (to waivers)."
Purdy has put the Mr. Irrelevant label behind him. He's the new QB2 in Santa Clara, sitting behind Garoppolo.
"I don't really think about it as much anymore; I'm not going to lie," Purdy said of his draft label. "I think, when I first got drafted, it was all fun and games. I mean, I'm Mr. Irrelevant, the last draft pick, but being here, all the guys have taken me in, and I've competed, and I feel like I'm just another guy. So I don't really look at it any more than that."
Purdy is working hard to ensure that, if the Niners call his number, he is ready to step in for Garoppolo.
"Honestly, since we found out what the roster was and everything, my whole goal and mindset has been, 'I've got to be ready.'" Purdy shared. "One snap away each time, being a third-string to a backup, now back up a starter. I'm one snap away. That's always been my mindset in terms of being ready."
Purdy has yet to make a regular-season pass. He was 30-of-49 for 346 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in his three preseason appearances. Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and even Garoppolo have all told him to be prepared.
"The past two weeks, I've game planned and prepped as if I was the starter, and so nothing is going to change for me in terms of that," Purdy continued. "Going out and getting more reps and things like that will be good. Other than that, that's what my mindset is going to continue to be."
Purdy added, "I've always prepared like I'm the starter, so just got to be ready."
