In a season riddled with injuries for the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Brock Purdy sustained an injury to his surgically repaired elbow late in their 40-34 defeat against the Detroit Lions.
The incident occurred in the final minutes when Purdy was sacked by Brian Branch, with his right elbow impacting the face mask of defensive lineman Pat O’Connor. Purdy described his elbow as ‘on fire’ and will undergo an MRI to assess the damage. Initial evaluations indicate no new damage to his previously injured ulnar collateral ligament, which he had surgery on following the 2022 NFC title game loss at Philadelphia.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remarked, ‘He just got hit in the right spot. Hit the nerves. He couldn’t feel much.’ Despite these concerns, Purdy is hopeful to play in the upcoming season finale against Arizona. His determination underscores a challenging season where the 49ers, assured last place in the NFC West, have faced significant injuries across their key players, including Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa.
Purdy began the game strong, achieving a perfect passer rating during the first half with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. However, his performance waned as he threw two interceptions in the second half, encapsulating his struggles throughout the season. Last year, Purdy led the NFL with an impressive 113 passer rating and was fourth in MVP voting, but this season, his statistics have dropped considerably.
Despite these challenges, Purdy remains resolute about finishing the season with his team. ‘For me, it’s why wouldn’t I play for my team and try to get some momentum going for the next year with our guys?’ he affirmed, expressing his desire to exemplify his competitiveness and dedication to his teammates.
Brock Purdy’s persistent resolve in the face of adversity highlights his commitment to his team amidst a season of setbacks. As the 49ers prepare for their final game, the resilience shown by Purdy and the team will be pivotal in setting a positive tone for the next season.
Source: News4jax
