Why Brock Purdy Needs to Play in the Preseason

Brock Purdy is most likely not going to play in the 49ers' first preseason game.

The 49ers are set to take on the Raiders this Sunday on Aug. 13 in Las Vegas. It makes sense for the 49ers to hold Purdy out of the first game. As a matter of fact, it's advisable for them to do so. They've been slowly integrating him in training camp from the beginning, so they will do the same in the preseason.

However, you have to wonder if the 49ers will hold Purdy out of the entire preseason. Doing so allows them to keep Purdy out of harm's way as well as getting more chances to evaluate their quarterbacks. I'm sure Kyle Shanahan would love nothing more than to see Trey Lance, Sam Darnold, and Brandon Allen in live action now rather than in practice. While I agree with making Purdy inactive in the first preseason game, assuming that is what occurs, I don't think they should do that for all of the games.

Purdy needs to play in the preseason. It doesn't matter how limited it is.

Even a few series in the other two games would be sufficient. The point is to give Purdy a stress test. How does he operate with the pads on knowing defenders will actually hit him? Pressure also becomes stronger than in practice, so this is all to see what level he is at mentally. Plenty of times players come back from a significant injury and end up playing more timidly. This is a way to see if Purdy has that and to get him back up to speed. Throwing him into the live bullets in Week 1 of the regular season against the Steelers on the road and expecting him to figure it out is unwise.

For now, Purdy feels adamant that he isn't timid or has any hurdles to overcome when he steps back into an actual game.

"For me I feel like normal when I'm out there, so I feel like I just got to get into a rhythm and play and go through progressions and just play quarterback," Purdy said. "And it's not really, ‘hey, I have to get tackled here just so I feel good about my arm.’ There's nothing like that, that goes through my mind. So, I just play football, I go through my reads, and I feel normal. So, it's not like I'm out there timid or scared about a certain hit or anything like that. So honestly, I feel good.”

After showing how mentally strong he was last season, I really do believe in the words Purdy relays here. In fact, in a recent practice, there was a moment in a live scrimmage where defensive end Clellin Ferrell got close to Purdy and reached out at him to attack the ball in hand. Shanahan was furious at that play for obvious reasons, but Purdy wasn't scared at all by it. He kept his head in the game the entire time the play was happening.

"I was more concerned with the read and hitting the open guy and all that kind of thing. And then he hit it and I was like, ‘Oh, shoot, he got through.’ I wasn't even like, ‘Oh shoot, he hit my arm.’ Nothing like that. So that's just the honest truth.”

As much as I believe Purdy is fine, he still needs to go out there and prove it. That is why I think limited snaps in the preseason is enough. Give him a few series to get his adrenaline going and to feel that pressure. That is when he will truly prove to himself and others that he is fine. That there are no feelings of being timid or anxious. Of course, the 49ers could always test that against the Steelers in Week 1. I just don't see how that will make for the optimal debut when that game is already going to be a tough one.

Give Purdy a bit of preseason action so that he can kick start his season and be better prepared.