49ers Rule Out Brock Purdy for Final Regular Season Game

San Francisco 49ers star quarterback Brock Purdy will not start in the team’s final game of the regular season, says HC Kyle Shanahan. Instead, Josh Dobbs will start against against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Purdy suffered an arm injury in the final minutes of Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, forcing him to leave the game with 1:36 remaining. The 49ers were ultimately defeated 40-34.

The QB was sacked by Lions safety Brian Branch, and though he tried to continue playing, he immediately showed signs of discomfort on the sideline, attempting to throw the ball but grimacing in pain.

Purdy’s injury occurred while he was in the midst of an impressive performance, completing 27-of-35 passes for 377 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Shanahan said of Dobbs earlier in the season, “He’s been great, him and Brandon [Allen]. I looked at both of them as the #2 through the year. Both gave good looks in the scout team. They split reps, and they’re always ready.”

After leaving the game, Dobbs took over for the remainder of the contest. He managed a touchdown drive, completed three of four pass attempts for 35 yards, and rushed for a seven-yard score. Purdy later admitted that his arm “doesn’t feel the best” and described the pain as feeling like his “arm was on fire.”

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Since Purdy will likely not play at all against the Cardinals, he’ll finish the 2024 season with 3,864 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Although there is always the chance that Shanahan could put Purdy back in the game, even if he doesn’t start him, it seems unlikely. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport posted that Purdy is not practicing this week, which almost certainly means that the QB is done for the season.

The 49ers finished the season with a disappointing 6-10 record and were eliminated from the playoffs by a loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. As they head into their Week 18 matchup, the team is determined to end the year on a positive note, hoping that a victory will give them some momentum heading into the offseason.

This game will see Dobbs make his debut as the 49ers’ third starting quarterback of the season. Earlier in the year, Brandon Allen took the reins in a loss to Green Bay in Week 12, stepping in while Purdy recovered from a right shoulder injury.

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