49ers Brock Purdy in concussion protocol, won’t practice Wednesday

Oct 25, 2023, 1:00 AM | Updated: 1:42 pm

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a second half pass against the Minnesota Vikings ...

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Sports Editor/Writer

A bad two weeks have turned into a nightmare for the San Francisco 49ers, with Brock Purdy now in concussion protocol Wednesday.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan delivered the news, listing Purdy as a non-participant for practice Wednesday. Purdy started showing systems of a head injury on the plane ride home from Minnesota on Monday. After getting checked out by team doctors the following day, the team placed him in the concussion protocol for the time being.

The coach isn’t sure when the injury occurred for his quarterback, only that the majority of the team found out about the injury once the plane landed in the Bay Area. Already on a short week, Purdy still has a chance to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals but will have to make it through all procedures first.

“He does have enough time, just gotta go through the process,” Shanahan said about Brock Purdy playing in Week 8.

Kyle Shanahan says Brock Purdy has entered concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms on the plane ride back from Minnesota pic.twitter.com/0vs5ZiEPPQ
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 25, 2023

Additionally, the coach also revealed that Purdy would be able to take part in portions of Wednesday’s walkthrough a sign that he feeling better. Undoubtedly the 49ers will be cautious with their young gunslinger though, as veteran Sam Darnold is the next in line to start.

Brock Purdy finished Week 7 with 272 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Those turnovers came in the fourth quarter, halting the 49ers from completing the comeback on the road. Those throws also came after he took a big hit to the helmet on a QB sneak in the same quarter, possibly where the player suffered said injury.

This is likely the play where Brock Purdy gets concussed. At the 7:03 mark in the 4th quarter.

Watch his head rock back after the hit from Jordan Hicks.

Not to make excuses, but both INTs come directly after this play. The 1st interception was the next throw after this. pic.twitter.com/SaGzzmDaZu
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) October 25, 2023

While the 49ers are hopeful he can be ready in time for Sunday, backup QB Sam Darnold will take first-team reps Wednesday.

Darnold, 26, has started 55 games in his NFL career. He is a combined 21-34 in those starts. Joining the 49ers to back up Brock Purdy in the offseason, the former USC standout is now in line to play his first meaningful snaps of the regular season.

And while the coaching staff would prefer Purdy to be out there, Shanahan has confidence Darnold can pick up the slack in the meantime.

“I have as much confidence in Sam as I could have in someone I haven’t gone into an NFL game with,” Shanahan stated Wednesday.