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49ers-Eagles: Brock Purdy comforted in knowing he has talented supporting cast
Jan 27, 2023 at 2:43 PM
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San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback
Brock Purdy is 7-0 as a starter. You can even throw in his first extended action if you want, taking over for an injured
Jimmy Garoppolo during Week 13 and leading the team to a dominating win over the Miami Dolphins.
Purdy's toughest task quickly approaches. The 49ers are boarding a plane to Philadelphia, where they will face the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field. Before the team headed to the airport, Purdy spoke with reporters and was as calm and poised as always. That's because, as was the case in his previous eight games, the 23-year-old quarterback knows he doesn't have to face the upcoming challenge alone.
"That's been the blessing of playing on this team, with the amount of experience and veterans that we have," Purdy explained, "knowing that I've just got to go out, do my job, get the ball to [RB]
Christian [McCaffrey], [TE]
George [Kittle], trust in
[T Mike] McGlinchey and [T]
Trent [Williams] to block, and all the boys up front. You know, hand the ball off, let our run game do its thing.
"It's not like, 'Man, I've got to do every little thing perfect.' I can go and play my game, do what I'm asked of, and get everyone the ball, and let them make plays, and let our defense do their thing. I have a great team around me, and I know that, and like I said, it's a blessing."
In addition to those star players, Purdy has playmakers like wide receivers
Deebo Samuel and
Brandon Aiyuk as potential targets. He has the best fullback in the league in
Kyle Juszczyk. That strong supporting cast has made the jump from one-time QB3 to the starting lineup easier.
"I'm trying to do my best to stay level-headed and trust that I've got guys around me to help. It's not just all on me," the rookie added.
Purdy is
one of five rookie quarterbacks to start in a conference championship game. He can become the first to reach a Super Bowl.
"There's definitely been times in the game where things are going well, and you think,
Man, this isn't that bad, but then you get humbled real quick," Purdy said when asked about the lessons he has learned during his NFL journey. "I think there's some good lessons that I've learned so far where you think things are going well, and you have to just stay even-keeled. You've got to go play another drive, and another possession, and another quarter.
"It's the NFL. Everyone is good. It doesn't matter how good you feel going into a new game, you can get humbled real quick. [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] told me about that recently, and I feel like it's definitely stood out to me."
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Photo: Recovering 49ers QB Brock Purdy spotted by fan
Brock Purdy can begin throwing again sometime in June. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is expected to be ready to hit the field—practice or in-game—sometime in September.
Purdy is recovering from surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He hasn't been seen since the surgery, with his last public appearance taking place In Arizona, during the week leading to the Super Bowl.
One fan spotted Purdy, though, getting a photo with the 49ers quarterback (h/t TheSFNiners). As expected, Purdy is wearing a massive brace on his throwing arm,
49ers' QB1? John Lynch calls Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse"
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, speaking with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning, made it clear where Brock Purdy sits in the team's quarterback depth chart. Purdy, recovering from surgery on March 10, has earned the right to the top spot.
"I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse at that," Lynch said. "I'll let [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] make those kind of decisions, but I know, when we talk, I think Brock's probably earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up, he'd probably take that first snap."
Of course, Lynch clarified that all quarterbacks—Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold—will compete for the 49ers' starting job. However,
The "Leader in the Clubhouse," 49ers QB Brock Purdy
49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to the 49ers beat writers at the NFL owners' meetings yesterday. Lynch discussed Purdy's health and whether he would be the starter when ready to play. He stated, "I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse. Brock's earned that right to be that guy if we line up to take that first snap."
Not many would argue that Purdy shouldn't be the starting quarterback after his phenomenal season during his rookie year. Purdy finished the season with 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and completed 67.1 percent of his passes.
He was even more impressive in the playoffs with 569 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and completed 65.1 percent of his passes.
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers will have better idea of Brock Purdy recovery timeline in June
It could be six months. It could be eight months. The San Francisco 49ers don't have a clear picture right now regarding quarterback Brock Purdy's recovery timeline. They will have a better idea in June, though. That's when the second-year quarterback will begin throwing again and ramping up his workload for the remaining portion of his rehabilitation.
Purdy underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury suffered on January 29 in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"He won't be able to do anything on the field for—who knows?" head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday morning from the NFL owners'