49ers HC Kyle Shanahan seems optimistic about QB Brock Purdy's chances of playing

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy hasn't played since Week 4 because of a lingering right toe issue, but he could be on track to return soon. 

Purdy practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday, but the designation was a formality. Before the session, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said it would be an "aggressive" practice for the QB and sounded optimistic about his chances of playing in a Week 11 road game against the Arizona Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox. 

Kyle Shanahan says Brock Purdy's health is improving

"I think each week, it's gone better, with the last week being the best," Shanahan said of Purdy. "Each week has been different. So, if he takes a big step forward this week, like he did last week, he should have a good chance to play." 

Surprisingly, the 49ers have been fine without Purdy. Backup QB Mac Jones, a former New England Patriots bust, has proved dependable for San Francisco. He has a 5-3 starting record and ranks 10th in the league in QBR (64.8) and 11th in passing yards (2,151). 

The 49ers have lost two of their past three games, but Jones has remained productive. In a 42-26 Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he completed 33-of-39 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Despite that, Shanahan has made it clear Purdy will remain the team's starter when he's healthy and expects him to thrive when he returns. 

"We all know how good Brock's played in the past," Shanahan said. "I think he played really good versus [the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1], and I think he struggled versus [the Jacksonville Jaguars], which is why we shouldn't have brought him back then. I know when Brock comes back, he'll play the same way he always has, like a high-level quarterback." 

The one-time Pro Bowler ranked 10th in the league in passing yards (3,864) last season. In his first two starts this season, however, he struggled, throwing the same number of touchdown passes and interceptions (four). 

If Purdy rebounds when he returns, that could help the 49ers (6-4) vault over the Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) in the NFC playoff race. If the season ended on Wednesday, Green Bay would edge out San Francisco for the last postseason spot in the conference.