San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy addressed concerns Monday after being pulled early from his team’s Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The move, which occurred during the 49ers’ final drive, raised speculation about his health as well as the team’s decision-making process.
The 49ers were trailing 40-28 with less than two minutes left at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when Purdy exited the game. Backup quarterback Josh Dobbs took over, leading a late scoring drive capped by a rushing touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Lions secured a 40-34 victory.
After the game, Purdy clarified that his departure had nothing to do with fatigue or a decision to “tap out.” Instead, it was due to severe pain in his elbow sustained during a late-game sack.
“Basically, my arm just felt like it was on fire,” Purdy said during the post-game press conference. “I tried throwing a couple of passes on the sideline, but I couldn’t. It has nothing to do with giving up on the game or anything like that. We did some preliminary tests for UCL issues, and I’m good in that regard, but I’ll need imaging tomorrow to fully assess what’s going on.”
RELATED: Lions QB Jared Goff Opens Up About His ‘Problem’ With 49ers’ Brock Purdy: ‘Got to Relax’
Despite the pain, Purdy delivered a strong statistical performance, completing 27 of 35 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. However, two critical interceptions in the second half proved costly for the 49ers, hindering their ability to capitalize on momentum against a strong Detroit team.
The loss officially eliminated San Francisco from playoff contention, marking their first absence from the postseason since 2020. While disappointing, Purdy emphasized that the injury did not impact his competitive spirit.
“I’m always going to fight for my team,” he added. “This wasn’t about stepping away—it was about doing what was best for the team in the moment. I’m going to make sure I get healthy and come back stronger.”
For the 49ers, the focus now shifts to the future. Purdy, who has proven himself as a promising young talent, is entering an offseason that could define his role within the organization. He’s expected to be in discussions for a contract extension, making his health a critical factor in those negotiations.
As for the team, head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the decision to bring in Dobbs late in the game, citing the need to protect Purdy and ensure his long-term availability.
“Brock is our guy, and we weren’t going to take any unnecessary risks,” Shanahan said. “We’re proud of how he played, and we’ll make sure he gets the care he needs to be ready for next season.”
The 49ers will now have to regroup and evaluate their roster as they look toward the 2025 season.
For Purdy, the priority remains his recovery and continuing to solidify his place as the franchise quarterback. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as more details about his elbow injury emerge.
Leave a Reply