49ers QB Purdy practices, a good sign he’ll play vs. Bengals

SANTA CLARA — One day after revealing quarterback Brock Purdy was in the NFL's concussion protocol, there was a promising sign for the 49ers. When the 49ers began practice on Thursday, Purdy was on the field going through individual work. It is a sign that he is progressing through the NFL's protocol and appears to be on pace to play in the 49ers' game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that Purdy had enough time to be cleared in order to play against the Bengals. If Purdy is not cleared to play, backup Sam Darnold would make his first start as a member of the 49ers. Purdy first reported concussion symptoms on the 49ers' flight back to the Bay Area from Minnesota late Monday night. "He started getting symptoms on the plane," Shanahan said Wednesday. "So we found that out when we landed. We were all pretty asleep. Then he got all checked up (Tuesday) and now he's in the protocol." Under the NFL's return-to-play protocol, Purdy appears to have advanced at least to the fourth of five phases. The fourth stage is described as "club-based non-contact training drills," whereas a player may participate in non-contact...