San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Thursday that Brock Purdy will return as the starting quarterback this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. Sunday will mark Purdy's first game action since Week 4, when he aggravated the turf toe injury he initially suffered in the season opener.

Speaking to reporters after the news broke, Purdy expressed excitement about rejoining his teammates at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.


"I feel really good," Purdy said. "I feel healthy, and excited to be back, and ready to go and lead the guys. So, I'm really excited about this week. It's been a good week so far, and got a couple more days, obviously. Got to finish out strong this week, but feel really good."

Purdy acknowledged his frustration with the injury and the prolonged period it has kept him sidelined. He was asked whether surgery was ever considered.

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"No," Purdy said. "I had a turf toe variation, if that's what you want to call it. But from multiple sources and doctors and everything, we looked at it, and they said there's no need for surgery."

Shanahan had previously admitted regretting the decision to let Purdy play in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Purdy, however, does not view it as a mistake.

"Going into that week, I felt good," Purdy explained. "I really did, and I thought I was going to be good to go. I just, unfortunately, got caught in a bad position with my toe again, and just re-aggravated it. And so, that's sort of just what happened.


"And looking back on it, I'm a competitor. I want to go out and lead, and I felt good throughout the week to be able to go out and lead our guys to win, and play good quarterback. And it's just unfortunate I got caught in that position."

From that point, Purdy said his status became a week-to-week situation, which explains why the 49ers opted not to place him on injured reserve.

Shanahan also noted that Purdy's toe may not fully heal this season. How does the quarterback manage himself knowing that?

"I'm in a really good spot, the best that I felt this year since hurting it," Purdy said. "And when you play the sport, that's just the case. Guys are going to play a little banged up or dealing with certain things, and a lot of times, you won't even hear what guys are dealing with, but they're just going about their business and playing, and doing what it takes.

"Obviously, this took me out of the game, so everyone knew about it, but guys are always dealing with things. But that's just the nature of the sport. I'd take a chance stepping out there every time to hurt my other toe. That's how I'm looking at it. So, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help lead this team."


Purdy added, "We still have seven games here to go and put something together, and our goals are right in front of us. So that's how I'm looking at it, and I'm excited about it."

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