Brock Purdy will travel with the San Francisco 49ers for their Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers, but it will be Brandon Allen making his first start for the team—and his first since 2021.
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Allen learned on Friday that he would start after Purdy, dealing with a shoulder injury sustained last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, was ruled out for this weekend's matchup.
"It's an opportunity," Allen told reporters. "The circumstances are what they are, but I think our team, all year long, we've been kind of dealing with injuries here and there, and it's been a big next-man-up mentality.
"So it's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game. And obviously, we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for the time being, it is an opportunity for me."
Despite Purdy missing Sunday's game, Allen expressed confidence that the injury won't affect the quarterback long-term.
"I know this is like the first time Brock's missed a game, probably in his life," Allen said. "He's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll bounce right back. So, I'm not too worried about it. I don't think any of our guys are. He'll rehab and get back as fast as he can. ... I don't think it'll be anything lingering or long-term for him."
Now in his second season with the 49ers, Allen has a solid grasp of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and feels prepared for the upcoming challenge.
"I feel very comfortable in the offense," Allen shared. "Definitely, going back to last year, and then all through this year, just being in the system, calling the plays, seeing them play out, all that. So, I definitely feel comfortable in this offense."
Shanahan voiced his confidence in the veteran quarterback.
"I think Brandon's a really good thrower, runs our offense well," the coach said. "He's done a really good job since he's been here. He's been here two years now, and guys believe in him, and he'll give us a good chance to win."
Shanahan added that Allen's insertion into the lineup doesn't require significant changes to the game plan.
"This is something that we didn't think would happen early in the week," Shanahan explained. "So we were fully preparing for Brock to go and getting a little surprised by this yesterday. Nothing has to change, so that's a good deal for us."
At 32 years old, Allen takes a day-by-day approach to his career, a mindset that has served him well as a backup quarterback. When asked if he ever doubted he'd get another opportunity to start, he kept the focus on the present.
"For me, it's my opportunity now, so I'll take advantage of it now," Allen said. "But those things really don't cross your mind, how long you're going to play and all that. There's definitely guys older than me still playing, so that usually doesn't come across my mind."