Brock Purdy is Back at Practice After a Concussion
SANTA CLARA -- Brock Purdy still is in the concussion protocol, but he practiced with the 49ers on Thursday.
That doesn't mean he was a full participant -- he wasn't. He can't be one until he clears the protocol and no longer experiences concussion symptoms. But the fact that he was on the field warming up with his teammates, running around and throwing passes bodes well for his chances to play Sunday against the Bengals. And it raises two questions.
Is Purdy a fast healer, or was his concussion relatively mild?
Remember, the 49ers didn't know that Purdy suffered a concussion. Had no clue during the game or after. Purdy even did a full press conference, which injured players don't do. It wasn't until he was on the team plane flying home when he began to experience symptoms. And now he's back on the practice field. And he looks like himself. Yesterday he was in the locker room, and he looked like himself. Of course, that's not a medical diagnosis, but he seems like a player who expects to play on Sunday.
The 49ers could be cautious with him and sit him for a game, but that doesn't appear to be what's happening. They appear to be getting him ready to start. And maybe that's because he's ready, and maybe it's because they feel they need him to beat the Bengals. The 49ers can't afford to go into their Bye week on a three-game losing streak, and it's not particularly likely that they would beat Joe Burrow and the Bengals with backup quarterback Sam Darnold.
Shanahan will talk to the media next on Friday. That's when we'll learn Purdy's status. Stay tuned.
