In a crucial game against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers will be missing some key players, including starting quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive end Nick Bosa. Both were ruled out on Friday due to injuries: Purdy is dealing with soreness in his right shoulder, while Bosa has hip and oblique issues.
Coach Kyle Shanahan announced that veteran Brandon Allen will step in as the starting quarterback, with Josh Dobbs as the backup. The absence of these top players, along with left tackle Trent Williams, who is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury, puts additional pressure on the 5-5 49ers as they strive to secure a playoff spot.
Shanahan acknowledged the importance of both players, stating, “We’re missing two good players, definitely. But we’ve got a lot of good players out there.” He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete, despite the challenges. “We’re going to fight our tails off and expect this to be a real good game,” he added.
Purdy’s injury took a sudden turn over the last 24 hours. Although he participated in practice earlier in the week, his condition worsened, leading to his exclusion from the game. Shanahan confirmed that he underwent an MRI earlier in the week, which revealed no structural damage but indicated uncertain availability moving forward. “I really don’t know what to think of it. … but the way it responded this week, it’s really up in the air next week,” he remarked.
With Purdy sidelined, Allen sees it as an opportunity, emphasizing the team’s “next-man-up mentality” that has persisted throughout the season. He remarked, “It’s definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game.”
Bosa’s injury situation has been ongoing. He had played through pain in the previous game but suffered a left-side injury that forced him out. He had expressed some hope for recovery but ultimately did not feel ready to play this week.
Additionally, cornerback Charvarius Ward will remain inactive as he continues to grieve the loss of his young daughter. Shanahan mentioned that the team is taking things slow with Ward, focusing on his well-being rather than rushing his return.
On a positive note, tight end George Kittle is cleared to return after missing last week’s game due to a hamstring injury, potentially adding strength to the 49ers’ offensive lineup.
As the team prepares for this challenging game in Green Bay, the focus remains on resilience and support for one another during difficult times, providing a hopeful outlook as they confront adversity together.