Uncertainty around 49ers QB continues ahead of weekend game

On Friday afternoon, with less than 48 hours until kickoff, Purdy was officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. But even though it’ll be less than a week since he was apparently concussed, all signs seem to be pointing to Purdy getting the start on Sunday for the red and gold. The Athletic’s 49ers beat reporter Matt Barrows posted on social media that Purdy will start “if he passes as expected,” with multiple other outlets reporting Purdy is likely to appear on Sunday.

It would be a rather remarkable recovery for the 23-year-old, who first felt concussion symptoms on the flight home Monday, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. Purdy was initially tested Tuesday, leading Shanahan to announce Purdy was following the concussion protocol Wednesday. By Thursday, Purdy was participating in a limited way in practice — and fully so on Friday.

He’s not officially out of the woods yet, as he still needs to pass the fifth and final step in the NFL’s concussion protocol to take the field against the Bengals. He’ll be tested Saturday.

If Purdy isn’t cleared for play, then the 49ers might still be just fine. This could be viewed as the ideal game to have to sit Purdy, as it would allow the quarterback two weeks of recovery because San Francisco has a bye in Week 9. They’d also get a chance to see how Sam Darnold looks as a starter.

When news of Purdy’s concussion first broke Wednesday, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward didn’t seem fazed by the idea of Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick, starting under center.

“If Darnold plays? I expect us to win, same as I do with Brock,” Ward said, according to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Darnold’s a seasoned vet. He’s played six years; he came in the NFL with me. I expect him to come in and sling that m— around. Ain’t no drop-off. We’re good.” (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.)

Shanahan expressed similar beliefs, saying Wednesday, “I have as much confidence in Sam as I could have with someone that I haven’t gone into a real NFL game with.”

Still, one couldn’t blame Shanahan for wanting a Niner under center whom he’s proven he can win with. Since Shanahan became head coach in 2017, the 49ers have started six quarterbacks, and only two have winning records (regular season and postseason): Purdy (12-3) and Jimmy Garoppolo (42-19). The other guys to start under center: Brian Hoyer (0-6), C.J. Beathard (2-10), Nick Mullens (5-11) and Trey Lance (2-2).

But once Purdy starred last December and January after Garoppolo got hurt, Shanahan hasn’t turned back from the Iowa State grad, letting Garoppolo walk and trading Lance to the Cowboys.

And now, if all goes as expected with the final step in the protocol on Saturday, it seems like not even a concussion, a short week of preparation and the potential for a second-straight game without star left tackle Trent Williams (questionable with an ankle injury) protecting his blindside is going to stop the 49ers from sticking with Purdy.