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Brock Purdy injury: 49ers QB has a surprise return after Josh Johnson injury in the NFC Championship Game

Update: Brock Purdy injured his ulnar collateral ligament, per Adam Schefter. Purdy still has an MRI on Monday, but if he didn’t rupture the ligament, he has about a six-week recovery according to Schefter. Purdy is in the 49ers plan for next season, but at this point it’s impossible to know who will be starting at QB for Week 1.

Update: Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk could still get some work as the quarterback, but Brock Purdy is back on the field at the start of San Francisco’s drive with 10:47 left in the third quarter.


Update: Just as it seemed we wouldn’t see Purdy again, Josh Johnson is getting checked for a head injury. The 49ers could either trot Purdy out there or go with their emergency quarterback RB Christian McCaffrey. Purdy entered the game and handed the ball off for a draw play on third down that then led to a San Francisco punt. We have to wait for their next drive to see what the 49ers will do under center.


Second half update: Purdy remains sidelined in this game. There was talk during halftime about the injury maybe being a nerve issue and Purdy could be unable to feel his fingers, but that is unconfirmed. Erin Andrews said that Purdy is unlikely to return.

Update: Early in the second quarter, trainers have wrapped up Brock Purdy’s elbow. It looks like maybe they’re giving him some heat treatment, but it’s not totally clear. Purdy isn’t getting much attention for the time being, which might not bode well, but there’s a lot of football left.

Update: Purdy is listed as questionable to return and has headed to the locked room for further testing on what is considered an elbow injury.


The San Francisco 49ers are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. In the first quarter, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had the ball knocked out of his hand by an Eagles defender. It ended up being a fumble, and Purdy was looking at the sideline. He tried to go back out on the field but was replaced by Josh Johnson.

Prior to the fumble and the injury, Purdy was two-for-two passing for 19 yards. It was San Francisco’s first drive of the game. The 49ers will turn to their fourth quarterback of the season in the veteran journeyman Johnson. On the second drive of the game, Johnson was sacked, and San Francisco ran the ball twice, leading to a quick three and out. All eyes will be on the sideline whenever they are due to get the ball back to see if Purdy can get back into this game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.