Insider reveals when 49ers plan to play Brock Purdy fully

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Insider reveals when 49ers plan to play Brock Purdy with no restrictions

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 8/11/23

With each practice of the San Francisco 49ers training camp, the team puts a little more on Brock Purdy’s plate.

Recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn UCL, the 49ers are being cautious as they work the second-year QB back into the fold. During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Friday, SI.com’s Albert Breer provided a little more clarity on when exactly the team would let Purdy off his leash, so to speak, as they inch closer to the regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10.

“My understanding is the plan was to potentially take the reins off fully this coming week,” Breer said. “The reins are still on to some degree. That’s why he won’t play on Sunday. After that, I think…you start to see more fully what they’re planning to do with him. … [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] was very clear he’s [their] starter. They’re getting him ready for Week 1, getting him ready to be the starter.”

49ers QB update
vs. Raiders

Brock Purdy
11-on-11 reps (all w/ the 1st team): 39
Passing: 15 of 26, 1 INT

Trey Lance
11-on-11 reps: 5
Passing: 1 of 2

Sam Darnold
11-on-11 reps: 4
Passing: 3 of 3

Brandon Allen
11-on-11 reps: 0
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 11, 2023

Although Purdy was cleared for practice without restrictions prior to training camp, the team has had the 23-year-old on a pitch count. He’s alternated practicing with days off, and the team has been slowly upping his workload along the way.

Purdy isn’t expected to play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Raiders, but there’s a possibility he could see some snaps against the Denver Broncos the following weekend.

Breer also mentioned the possibility that should Purdy be 100 percent, the 49ers could be open to moving former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance if the right offer presented itself.

“I don’t think Trey is necessarily the No. 2,” Breer added. “Obviously, that opens up other questions as well. If somebody is willing to give them a draft pick [for him], do you do it? The Niners really like Trey as a person; do they want to afford him the opportunity to get a fresh start somewhere else with the acknowledgment of what they think of Brock Purdy, the opportunity might not be there for him [in San Francisco.]”

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