After taking a sack late in the San Francisco 49ers’ 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions, quarterback Brock Purdy experienced a troubling sensation in his right elbow that brought back memories of his previous injury. “I got hit on the backside and basically just my arm was on fire kind of thing,” Purdy explained after the game. “I tried throwing a couple on the sideline and I couldn’t at that point.”
This feeling was particularly concerning for Purdy, as he had suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game in January 2023 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The thought of potentially dealing with a similar injury again was unavoidable for Purdy, his coaches, and the 49ers’ medical staff.
Given his past experience with a serious elbow injury, there was an immediate worry that the same injury had reoccurred. However, both Purdy and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested that the initial signs pointed to something different. “We did some tests with UCL stuff, and I’m good in that regard,” Purdy said, indicating that the ligament was not the source of the issue. Instead, both Purdy and Shanahan believed it to be more related to a nerve issue, which would be a less concerning diagnosis than a ligament tear.
Despite this initial positive news, Purdy was set to undergo further testing on Tuesday to ensure a complete and accurate diagnosis. He remained hopeful but cautious, knowing that a full evaluation would be necessary to rule out any serious damage to the elbow. “We’ve just got to go get imaging on it tomorrow and see the whole thing,” Purdy explained.
Before Purdy spoke to the media, Coach Shanahan shared the early analysis with reporters. According to Shanahan, doctors had informed him that they believed Purdy’s injury to be “some nerve stuff,” and they didn’t anticipate it being a long-term issue. Shanahan also expressed his hopefulness by saying, “I wouldn’t think [it’s a serious issue] long term, but we’ve got to wait until we get all the imaging done to confirm that.” Although there were initial signs of optimism, both Shanahan and Purdy agreed that further testing would be crucial to fully understand the extent of the injury.
“I know everyone, when they hear about Brock’s elbow and stuff, just like me, you think of the elbow injury from a couple of years ago,” Shanahan said. “But just talking to the doctors, he just got hit in the right spot. When you get hit there, your nerves go and you can’t feel much, but hopefully, it will be all right.”
Purdy’s initial comments and Shanahan’s perspective aligned with the notion that the issue was likely to be more of a nerve-related concern rather than a structural injury to the elbow itself. However, both acknowledged the importance of thorough testing to confirm their suspicions.
The injury occurred with 1:45 left in the game, as the 49ers were trailing by 12 points and had a slim chance of coming back. On a shotgun snap, Purdy attempted to survey the field but found himself under pressure from the Lions’ defense. Lions safety Brian Branch was quick to sack Purdy, wrapping him up and bringing him down. As Purdy rolled over, defensive end Pat O’Connor landed directly on top of him. O’Connor’s hit struck Purdy’s elbow with his hand, and his facemask made contact with the same area of Purdy’s arm.
Following the sack, Purdy was slow to get up and made his way to the sideline, where he was immediately attended to by the 49ers’ medical staff. Backup quarterback Josh Dobbs entered the game as Purdy was evaluated on the sideline. Purdy attempted a few throws, but the sensation in his right arm prevented him from continuing. Despite his best efforts to regain feeling and functionality in his elbow, Purdy was unable to continue and did not return to the game.
In his post-game comments, Purdy tried to clarify his decision to leave the field. “It has nothing to do with tapping out of the game or anything like that,” he explained. “I love my teammates, and I’ll go to the very end for them and this fan base and everybody, so that’s what hurts me is I couldn’t finish the game. But again, we’ll see tomorrow.”
Purdy’s words highlighted his commitment to the team, and his frustration at not being able to finish the game reflected how much he valued his role in the team’s success. Even though the injury might not have been as serious as it initially seemed, the fact that Purdy couldn’t play through it left him feeling disappointed and concerned for the implications on both his health and the team’s performance moving forward.
As the 49ers head into their next few weeks of the season, Purdy’s status will remain a major point of focus. Although the initial tests suggested that the injury could be a nerve issue with no lasting damage to the ligament, Purdy and the medical staff will need to ensure that he’s fully recovered before stepping back onto the field. Should the issue be confirmed as a nerve injury, it would still require some time to heal, as nerve injuries can be tricky and difficult to manage during the high-pressure weeks of the NFL season.
For the 49ers, having Purdy healthy is critical to their hopes of competing in the playoffs. He has been an integral part of their success, leading them through a highly competitive season. While backup quarterbacks are always a possibility in case of injury, losing Purdy for any extended period of time would be a blow to the team’s offensive cohesion and their chance to make a deep playoff run.
In the aftermath of the injury, 49ers fans are left with a sense of uncertainty, but there is hope that this injury won’t be as serious as it initially seemed. With Purdy scheduled to undergo further imaging, the team will likely receive more definitive answers soon. If the nerve issue proves to be minor, Purdy could return to the lineup quickly and continue his impressive season. If not, the 49ers will have to adjust their plans accordingly and hope that their depth at the quarterback position can carry them forward.
As the season progresses, the 49ers will be closely monitoring Purdy’s recovery and readiness. The team’s playoff aspirations hinge on his ability to perform at a high level, and any setback could have significant ramifications. For now, the focus is on getting the necessary tests done, confirming the injury’s nature, and making sure Purdy’s arm is fully prepared to take on the challenges ahead.
