49ers QB Brock Purdy’s Elbow ‘On Fire’ After Late-Game Sack/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ WASHINGTON/ Morning Edition/ San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a scare to his surgically repaired throwing elbow late in a 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite initial pain, Purdy’s early tests showed no damage to the ligament, and he hopes to play in the season finale against Arizona.
Brock Purdy’s Elbow Injury: Quick Looks
- Injury Details: Purdy’s elbow hit a defender’s facemask during a sack late in the game.
- Initial Pain: Purdy described the feeling as his elbow being “on fire.”
- Early Tests: No apparent damage to the surgically repaired ligament from his 2022 injury.
- Coach’s Input: Kyle Shanahan explained the hit affected Purdy’s nerves.
- Season Context: The 49ers, plagued by injuries, will finish last in the NFC West.
49ers QB Brock Purdy’s Elbow ‘On Fire’ After Late-Game Sack
Deep Look: Brock Purdy Faces Injury Scare in 49ers’ Loss to Lions
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy endured another hurdle in an already challenging season when he hurt his surgically repaired throwing elbow during the closing minutes of a 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night.
The Injury
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Detroit’s Brian Branch sacked Purdy, forcing his right elbow into the facemask of Lions defensive lineman Pat O’Connor.
Purdy immediately felt intense pain, describing it as his elbow being “on fire.”
While Purdy will undergo an MRI to confirm the extent of the damage, initial tests revealed no injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that he had surgically repaired after the 2022 NFC Championship Game.
“It doesn’t feel the best, but it doesn’t feel that bad,” Purdy said, adding that he hopes to play in the 49ers’ season finale against Arizona on Sunday.
Shanahan’s Perspective
Head coach Kyle Shanahan reassured fans that Purdy’s elbow might not be seriously damaged. “He just got hit in the right spot. Hit the nerves. He couldn’t feel much,” Shanahan explained.
Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs stepped in for Purdy and led a late touchdown drive, but the game ended in another frustrating loss for the injury-riddled 49ers (6-10).
A Season of Struggles
The loss to Detroit cemented San Francisco’s place at the bottom of the NFC West, a shocking outcome for a team that reached the Super Bowl last season. The 49ers have faced a relentless wave of injuries, with stars like Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk, and Dre Greenlaw missing extended time.
Purdy has battled through the challenges, even playing behind an offensive line featuring third- and fourth-string players on the left side during Monday night’s game.
Bright Moments Amid Difficulty
Purdy shined in the first half, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another, posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating on the 49ers’ first three drives.
“We were in a groove,” Purdy said. “At that point of the game, we were just being aggressive and trying to win however it took.”
However, as the game progressed, Purdy struggled, throwing two costly interceptions to Lions safety Kerby Joseph that derailed San Francisco’s comeback hopes.
Season Performance
Purdy’s performance this year has fallen short of the stellar numbers he put up last season when he led the NFL in passer rating and yards per attempt. This season, he has thrown 20 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, a notable regression.
Despite the team’s disappointing record and his injury scare, Purdy expressed a strong desire to play in the season finale.
“I want to finish the season with our guys,” Purdy said. “For me, it’s about making a statement to everybody here for next year that I’m a competitor. I’ll be out on the field any chance I get.”
Looking Ahead
As the 49ers prepare to close a turbulent season against Arizona, Purdy’s health remains a key focus. While the injury-plagued team looks toward rebuilding for 2025, Purdy hopes to finish the season strong and reaffirm his commitment as the franchise’s leader moving forward.
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