Brock Purdy has been missing several key offensive players in recent weeks. Running back Christian McCaffrey has been sidelined for most of training camp and the entire preseason due to calf and Achilles injuries. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams either missed practices or were absent altogether as both engaged in contract standoffs.
All three are expected to play against the New York Jets on Monday night. Despite the absences, Purdy isn't worried about a lack of chemistry with his teammates. He expects the 49ers' offense to be in sync when they hit the field.
"I feel like we've all had so many game reps and just experience together that we understand just from watching our film," Purdy told reporters after Friday's practice. "And then obviously, being back together with the time that we've had so far, we all understand how we move, how we operate, and how we need to play within this system and with each other.
"Trent was gone for a little bit, obviously, but when he's come back in, it feels good, it feels natural again, back in the huddle, and when I'm dropping back with him there. And the same with B.A. and his routes, throwing to him for the last week or so, it all just feels pretty normal. But I could say all that now. When the bullets are flying, we're going to find out.
"And then, obviously, same with Christian, too, and his reps and stuff. So it goes for everybody. We're all going to have to adjust and adapt on the fly. That's just how it is with live bullets and the live action in-game. So like I said, we'll find out."
Purdy hasn't had much time to evaluate his connection with Aiyuk during the team's Week 1 game plan installation. However, he feels confident in their chemistry, especially when working together on the fundamentals.
"When it comes to our base route trees, our concepts, and him running, and me throwing him out of his brakes, I'm not going to lie, it feels pretty normal," Purdy shared. "It feels pretty good. And obviously, I remember him a lot, just how he runs and how he moves compared to [WR] Jauan [Jennings] and [WR] Deebo [Samuel]. They're all different.
"But I remember how B.A. moves, and if you ask me, I feel like we've been connecting pretty well."
Purdy and Aiyuk worked out together last weekend, marking the first time since February's Super Bowl that Aiyuk had caught passes from his quarterback.
"It was huge," Purdy said of the extra work with his wideout. "Just he and I out in the field, just getting back into our base, fundamental routes, and everything. He was working on his conditioning and stuff as well. But more than anything, just him getting in and out of cuts. B.A. does it very quickly compared to some other guys, and he's a lot more explosive, I would say. And his hips are more mobile, so he can break down and get in and out in any direction.
"So that was a good day for me to just get back in the sync of seeing how he moves and feeling it out again so that this week at practice, we sort of picked up where we left off."
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