The San Francisco 49ers left their 38-10 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers with a handful of injury issues, but head coach Kyle Shanahan did have some positive news on quarterback Brock Purdy during his Monday conference call.
Shanahan told reporters Purdy got some light throwing in Monday and didn’t have the pain return to his shoulder, which is a good sign for his chances to ramp up ahead of Week 13. Purdy missed Week 12 because of a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. He was limited in practice throughout Week 12 and then ruled out Friday on the injury report.
This week he’ll get a rest day Tuesday with a chance to return to practice Wednesday.
With the 49ers’ postseason hopes on life support, Purdy’s health may be the biggest factor moving forward in whether they have a chance to fight back into the playoff picture. That he made positive strides Monday is a good first step toward getting him back.
The updates on defensive end Nick Bosa and Trent Williams were less optimistic. Shanahan said both are still day-to-day, though their statuses for Week 13 remain up in the air.
Shanahan also had updates on players who played in Sunday’s game.
Two offensive lineman, left guard Aaron Banks and right guard Dominick Puni were banged up during the contest. Banks is in concussion protocol. Puni has a shoulder issue and the team is awaiting an MRI.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is also in concussion protocol after leaving the game early.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is also dealing with a knee problem that required an MRI. The 49ers are awaiting those results. Lenoir has been their best defensive back this season, and losing him would be a significant blow to their secondary. If he can’t go, rookie Renardo Green would likely move down to the slot with Isaac Yiadom and potentially Charvarius Ward getting the starts on the outside. Ward is still working his way back after a long-term absence for a personal tragedy. However, Green is day-to-day with a neck injury per Shanahan.
Injuries were rough for San Francisco in Green Bay. It may be even worse in Week 13 when they visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football.
