49ers QB Joshua Dobbs to start for Brock Purdy (elbow) vs. Cardinals

Jan 2, 2025, 7:17 AM | Updated: 7:30 am

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Brock Purdy #13 talks with Joshua Dobbs #5 of the San Francisco 49ers...

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Sactown Sports

San Francisco will start Joshua Dobbs in place of injured quarterback Brock Purdy when the 49ers end their season on Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that Dobbs will replace Purdy, who sustained a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

Shanahan said both Dobbs and fellow quarterback Brandon Allen are ready to play.

Kyle Shanahan announced Josh Dobbs will get the start in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/ihHylsDUEO

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 1, 2025

“They’ve been two good guys to have there,” Shanahan said. “Kind of looked at both of them as our two throughout the year, but they’ve both given really good looks on scout team. They split all the reps there. They’re always ready. They both prepare like they’re going to be the starter every week. They’ve been great.”

San Francisco (6-10) is thin on the offensive line, so Dobbs’ mobility gave him the edge to start, Shanahan confirmed.

Dobbs, 29, made his first appearance for the 49ers on Monday night in relief of Purdy. Dobbs was 3-for-4 for 35 yards and also rushed once for 7-yard touchdown in the 40-34 loss to the visiting Lions.

Pittsburgh selected Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He has passed for 2,955 career yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 22 games (14 starts) for the Steelers (2018, 2020), Tennessee Titans (2022), Arizona Cardinals (2023), Minnesota Vikings (2023) and 49ers.

He also has rushed for 503 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 career carries. He is 3-11 as a starter.

If Purdy sits out against Arizona (7-9), he will finish his third NFL season with a 65.9 completion percentage (300 of 455) for 3,864 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The 49ers listed 11 players as non-participants on Wednesday, including Purdy, defensive end Nick Bosa (knee), tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) and receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs/wrist).

–Field Level Media

More 49ers coverage from Sactown Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday.

Although it is unlikely Purdy will play for the 49ers (6-10) in Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, Shanahan said the news on Purdy’s elbow was positive and that no long-term injury was expected.

Purdy, who tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in the NFC Championship Game two years ago, described the feeling in his elbow after the game.