49ers Brock Purdy returns to practice Thursday, remains in concussion protocol

Oct 26, 2023, 2:06 PM | Updated: 2:27 pm

Kyle Shanahan; Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the NFC Championship Ga...

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Sports Editor/Writer

The 49ers quarterback carousel took another turn, with starter Brock Purdy returning to practice Thursday.

The San Francisco 49ers starting QB was seen practicing with the rest of the team, going through throwing drills during the media portion of practice. He was also seen running with his helmet on, a sign that his neurological symptoms had passed.

Brock Purdy was placed in concussion protocol after Week 7’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. On the flight home from Minneapolis, Purdy showed symptoms of a head injury. Evaluated by team doctors Monday night and Tuesday, the QB was placed in the NFL’s protocol. While the 49ers remain unsure exactly where he got injured, Purdy took a shot to the helmet from linebacker Jordan Hicks during a QB sneak in the fourth quarter.

Already on a short week, Purdy’s chances to play seemed slim initially, but his appearance on Thursday bodes well for Week 8.

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

This is an indication Purdy is making progress through the concussion protocol. He has not been fully cleared yet, however.

And worth noting that the black jersey for QBs serves same purpose as blue jersey for others: no contact allowed. https://t.co/RH4gDdzkIL

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 26, 2023

And that he has.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on where Purdy may be in the protocol:

Under the NFL’s return-to-play protocol, Purdy appears to have advanced at least to the fourth of five phases. The fourth stage is described as “club-based non-contact training drills,” whereas a player may participate in non-contact football activities, such as throwing.

Purdy was seen on the 49ers’ practice field rolling out and throwing passes. It appears possible Purdy could receive full clearance as early as Friday or Saturday.

After fearing he would be inactive for Week 8, backup Sam Darnold was named the next in line to take over as starting QB of the 49ers. That may have been premature, however, with Purdy progressing from his head injury.

Also joining the QB back at practice was linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

Greenlaw, 26, had a veteran rest day Wednesday. He has been dealing with lingering injuries for much of the year though, held out of Week 6 with a hamstring injury. Greenlaw returned to the field in Week 7, recording 10 total tackles.

Not on the field Thursday was left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) or wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder). Both men were seen off to the side of practice instead, looking to get some calisthenics in before the day was over.

#49ers early portion of practice

Participating
QB Brock Purdy
LB Dre Greenlaw

Not at practice
LT Trent Williams
WR Deebo Samuel

— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) October 26, 2023