The San Francisco 49ers will head into their pivotal Week 12 clash against the Green Bay Packers without their starting quarterback.
Brock Purdy, dealing with shoulder soreness, has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field, forcing backup Brandon Allen into the starting role.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed Purdy’s situation earlier in the week, expressing initial optimism but conceding on Friday that the quarterback’s shoulder did not respond as expected. Shanahan explained that while an MRI showed no severe damage, Purdy experienced unexpected discomfort during practice on Thursday, prompting the team to shut him down for the week.
“I don’t want to say there’s long-term concern,” Shanahan said. “We thought he just needed rest, and we weren’t really worried earlier in the week. But when he threw Thursday, it surprised us how it felt. We’ll have to re-evaluate him Monday to see where things stand.”
Purdy, who is in the midst of his third NFL season, will miss his first career game due to injury. The quarterback has been a cornerstone of the 49ers’ offense this year, completing 66% of his passes for 2,613 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions through 10 games. His absence leaves a significant void as San Francisco looks to stay competitive in a tight NFC playoff race.
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Brandon Allen, who has spent two years with the 49ers, will take the reins under center. Allen hasn’t started an NFL game since Week 18 of the 2021 season when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. In his career, the veteran quarterback has made nine starts, compiling a modest resume but earning the trust of Shanahan and the coaching staff.
“I think Brandon’s a really good thrower, runs our offense well, and has done a great job since he’s been here,” Shanahan said of Allen. “The guys believe in him, and I think he’ll give us a good chance to win on Sunday.”
The timing of Purdy’s injury couldn’t be worse for the 49ers, who also face key absences on the defensive side of the ball. Star defensive end Nick Bosa has been ruled out for the game, further complicating San Francisco’s efforts to slow down Green Bay’s offense.
Purdy’s absence will test the 49ers’ depth and Allen’s readiness to step into the spotlight. While Allen has seen limited action over the past two seasons, Shanahan’s confidence in his preparation will be crucial as the team attempts to navigate a challenging matchup on the road.
For the 49ers, the focus will likely shift to their ground game and short passing attack to ease the burden on Allen. San Francisco’s ability to adapt offensively without their starter could be the key to staying competitive against a Packers team looking to gain ground in the NFC playoff picture.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on how Allen handles his first start in nearly two years. The 49ers remain in the thick of the playoff race, but with a challenging road environment and multiple key players sidelined, this game represents a pivotal moment in their season.
While Purdy’s status for Week 13 remains uncertain, the 49ers are treating this game as a chance for their depth to shine. The team’s resilience and Allen’s performance will be critical as they look to secure a crucial win against a surging Packers squad.
