The San Francisco 49ers are on the losing end of a Christmas evening battle with the Baltimore Ravens, and that’s not the only thing that’s gone wrong for the 49ers on Monday night. Quarterback Brock Purdy — who entered Week 16 as an MVP contender before throwing four interceptions against the Ravens — suffered an injury in the fourth quarter.
Brock Purdy Injury Update
Purdy went down hard after taking a sack on 1st-and-10 from the Baltimore 28-yard line with 8:19 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was only the second time Purdy had been taken down on Monday night.
The second-year signal-caller went into the blue medical tent along the 49ers’ sideline to be evaluated. Purdy had his helmet as he emerged from the tent and fist-bumped backup QB Sam Darnold, who’d replaced him and thrown a touchdown pass on the previous drive.
Brock Purdy was forced from the game after this hit. Sam Darnold is in at QB for the #49ers. pic.twitter.com/gj3FKRZUzX
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 26, 2023
ESPN’s broadcast reported Purdy is dealing with the same shoulder stinger that affected him against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Purdy missed three snaps in that game but managed to finish the contest.
Purdy had been cleared to return, according to ESPN. However, given that San Francisco was trailing the Ravens by 14 points with roughly four minutes remaining by the time Purdy exited the medical tent, the 49ers apparently didn’t see the merit in putting its starting quarterback back on the field.
San Francisco officially listed Purdy as questionable to return.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
Risking Purdy’s health made even less sense, considering first-string 49ers left tackle Trent Williams and backup LT Jaylon Moore were out of Monday’s game while dealing with their own injuries.
After the game in his press conference, head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “…I know he had a bad stinger … didn’t want him to go in and not be ready for next week.”
Shanahan added that he’s confident Purdy will be available in Week 17
Purdy had completed 18 of 32 attempts for 255 yards, no touchdown, and four picks before departing, registering his worst game of the season against one of the NFL’s top defenses. San Francisco still controls its own No. 1 seed destiny, and Purdy will likely return to start against the Washington Commanders in Week 17.
Fantasy Fallout From Purdy’s Injury
Darnold was effective on the drive on which Purdy suffered the injury, but there’s no denying that this injury would be a problem for the stock of ever 49ers skill player if serious.
That said, there’s nothing actionable to do in your fantasy Super Bowl.
I take that back. An increase in praying to the fantasy gods might be in order. Outside of that, you’re still not getting cute with any of the elite playmakers that populate this offense.
If you want to remove Christian McCaffrey from the top line of your RB rankings, tick George Kittle down to TE7 instead of TE3, or move either receiver outside of the top 15, that’s fine. But the sort of minor regression in expectations isn’t nearly enough to justify sitting them on your bench with a title on the line.
You’re in a better spot with Purdy under center, but you’re not changing your Week 17 lineup even if Purdy’s injury unexpectedly causes him to miss time.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
