Orlovsky: 49ers offense “won’t skip a beat” if Sam Darnold starts

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is confident that Sam Darnold can step in for the San Francisco 49ers and secure a win against the Cincinnati Bengals if he's called upon to start in place of Brock Purdy this Sunday.

On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Purdy sustained a concussion in the 49ers' recent loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The second-year player is currently in concussion protocol, raising doubts about his availability for Week 8.

However, Purdy has not been ruled out for this weekend.

"He does have enough time [to clear the protocol]," Shanahan said. "He's just got to go through the process."

If Purdy cannot go, it will be Darnold on Sunday. The veteran backup will get the starting practice reps until Purdy is given the green light.

"I think the offense will be just fine and won't skip a beat under Sam Darnold," Orlovsky said Thursday morning on ESPN's Get Up. "That is not a knock on Brock Purdy. Brock Purdy has been an elite quarterback this year, a top-five guy in the NFL. Sam Darnold's the most talented quarterback Kyle Shanahan would have had since at least Matt Ryan.

"And this is a young man that has been in awful situations since he was a part of the NFL, and some good, and some bad. But this is by far the best situation when it comes to do I have a good offense to be in? Yes. Do I have a great play caller? Yes. Do I have the proper people around me? Yes."

Darnold or Purdy would be missing wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who isn't expected to return from the hairline fracture in his shoulder until after the bye week.

Additionally, the 49ers were without tackle Trent Williams in their Monday night matchup against the Vikings. While Williams did not practice on Wednesday, Shanahan expressed optimism that his future Hall of Fame offensive lineman might get some on-field work on Thursday.

Orlovsky added, "Now, Trent Williams playing would go a long way to him (Darnold) having some success against a good defense in Cincinnati, but if Sam Donald's got to be the guy, I have very little issue."