One of the hot-button topics this offseason has been Brock Purdy and his return to action following elbow surgery. The San Francisco 49ers coaching staff and front office have been adamant since the surgery that Purdy would return as the starting QB.
The positive reports this offseason on Purdy’s recovery have become more frequent, and his practice reports have been better than anticipated. Should we expect Purdy to play in the 49ers’ final dress rehearsal?
Is Brock Purdy Playing in the Final Preseason Game?
Reportedly, the 49ers plan to start backup QB Sam Darnold in the final preseason game. Following Darnold will be third-string QB Trey Lance, who has fallen out of favor in San Francisco.
#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said on @KNBR that Trey Lance will play in Friday’s preseason game vs. the #Chargers. The plan is for Lance to come in after Sam Darnold.
Lance was excused from practice today after being told he won’t be Brock Purdy’s backup. “I knew that it was hard on… https://t.co/OdIySslUCy
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2023
Purdy will not play in the final preseason game, pointing to his regular-season return in the opener.
What To Expect From San Francisco During Preseason Week 3
Don’t expect to see many starters. The 49ers will likely keep most of their key players in bubble wrap heading into the season opener.
Brock Purdy dressed and ready to go for preseason game #2 pic.twitter.com/0z7MTuAH4v
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 19, 2023
The 49ers will likely establish the running game early and dwindle the play clock to escape this contest without injury. Expect the 49ers to get a look at Darnold and prepare him in case Purdy suffers an injury in 2023.
The 49ers may showcase Lance for a large part of the game. If the 49ers wish to recoup the draft capital they spent on Lance when they traded three first-round picks for him, they must convince other NFL teams that Lance has untapped potential.
What To Expect From Purdy in 2023
Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to the leader of one of the top offenses in football and one of the best teams in the NFL. Darnold and Lance have not shown us anything in their NFL careers to suggest they can keep the 49ers’ offense rolling like Purdy.
Brock Purdy returned to action making his preseason debut in Week 2 vs the Broncos. Watch the highlights.
Next up, #LACvsSF
🗓️8/25
⏰ 7 PM PT
📱KPIX // NFL+ https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/lQKMsnenxK— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 21, 2023
Purdy has gone from an afterthought to critical to the 49ers’ success in one season. Purdy is the point guard of the offense, getting the ball out of his hands to his playmakers. With Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers have as many playmakers as any team in the league.
MORE: What Landing Spots Could Make the Most Sense for Trey Lance?
Expect San Francisco to rely on the run game even in the season to take as much pressure off Purdy as possible. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan unleashes his offense through his QB and has complete confidence in Purdy.
Expect Purdy to flourish once again under Shanahan’s guidance. Purdy ran white hot last year, so some regression to the mean is expected. There is plenty of upside for Purdy to tap into, and the best may be yet to come.
