The 49ers may need to turn to backup quarterback Sam Darnold for their Week 8 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s not something head coach Kyle Shanahan is worried about.
Starting QB Brock Purdy missed Wednesday’s practice because of a concussion he suffered Monday night. It’s unclear whether he’ll be able to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol in time. If he’s unable to go it would be Darnold in his place. Darnold will get all the first-team reps while Purdy is out. QB Brandon Allen would slide into the backup role.
For Darnold it would be his first real action for San Francisco after he won the backup QB battle against Trey Lance in training camp. Even though Darnold hasn’t had to start or play meaningful snaps for the 49ers yet, Shanahan is still fully confident in his backup.
“I have as much confidence in Sam as I could have with someone that I haven’t gone into a real NFL game with,” Shanahan said Wednesday in a press conference. “He was great in the offseason. He’s been great here in these seven weeks so far and he’s always ready to go. He’s great in the meetings and stuff. He doesn’t get many reps, as no backups do, but he does it well on the scout team, he’s always good in the meetings. We got mainly walk-through today, so Brock’s allowed to do some of the walk-through. We’ve got a couple periods that aren’t, so Sam will get those periods.”
It’s not a slam dunk that he’ll start. Purdy has until Sunday to clear concussion protocol.
Darnold is 21-34 as a starter in his career with a 59.7 percent completion rate, 61 touchdowns, 55 interceptions and a 78.2 passer rating.
The numbers don’t inspire much confidence, but his physical talent is clear and this 49ers club will be by far the best situation he’s been in as a pro. In the preseason with San Francisco he completed 22-of-33 throws (66.7 percent) for 282 yards with two touchdowns and one interception
Ideally Purdy’s head injury won’t be bad enough that he sits out. If the starting QB is missing thought, it sounds like Shanahan subscribes to theory that Darnold would thrive in the 49ers’ offense. If he plays like he did in the preseason, San Francisco should be fine.
