Sam Darnold’s 49ers chance might be on hold with Brock Purdy’s recovery
[ad_1]
Sam Darnold might not be getting his chance at redemption, after all.
The 49ers’ backup quarterback was in line to start on Sunday against the Bengals as starter Brock Purdy deals with a concussion.
Purdy appeared to suffer the concussion while attempting a quarterback sneak during the team’s Week 7 loss to the Vikings.
He finished the game without exiting, though he threw two interceptions after that play.
He felt symptoms on the plane ride home Monday night and entered the concussion protocol on Tuesday.
But Purdy has quickly progressed through the protocol, passing four of the NFL’s five required steps before returning to game action.
He was able to practice as a limited participant on Thursday and fully on Friday as a result, and now has to pass the final step of the protocol on Saturday.
“That’s the last thing he’s got to do,” head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Friday. “Just one step left … He was full go today; he’s just got to pass that tomorrow.”
Purdy is officially listed as questionable, and Shanahan said he will “definitely” start if he clears the protocol.
Darnold is in his first season with the 49ers after signing a one-year, $4.5 million deal this past offseason, though it can rise as high as $11.5 million with incentives.
Formerly the No. 3-pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jets, Darnold failed to live up to expectations across three seasons with the team.
He then played two seasons with the Panthers, starting 17 games.
It appeared he would get another chance to prove his worth as a starting quarterback, but Purdy’s recovery has thrown a wrench into that plan.
“He’s been great, as he normally is,” Darnold said of Purdy. “He’s preparing really well and out there at practice he’s been slinging it and looking really good.”
[ad_2]
Source link
