Until Brock Purdy’s press conference on Thursday, it appeared six of the 13 NFL games on Sunday would feature a starting quarterback with Alabama football roots.
Purdy pronounced himself ready to return to the San Francisco 49ers’ lineup for their Sunday game against the Arizona Cardinals, which would end former Alabama All-American Mac Jones’ six-game run as the team’s starting quarterback.
Purdy sustained a toe injury in the 49ers’ season-opener, sat out two contests, returned for the fourth game and hasn’t played since.
In his eight games, Jones has led San Francisco to a 5-3 record and averaged 268.9 passing yards per game, second in the NFL to the 269.7 of the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford.
Purdy said his return isn’t a case of feeling he was being Wally Pipped.
“Absolutely love Mac and what he’s done,” Purdy said. “He came in and played extremely well, man. And so kept our team alive and moving and going, and so I appreciate him for that and just everything he’s brought to our team. But for me, it’s been: How do I feel physically? Has nothing to do with I need to get back out there for the political side of things. It’s been all about how do I feel really good to go out and lead when I do get back.
“And so, obviously, it took six games sadly on the second side of things after reaggravating it, but I want to be smart about this with my career and everything. But at the same time, I’m ready to roll, and we got seven games ahead of us that I’m really excited about.”
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San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday the plan this week was to prepare Purdy to start on Sunday.
“I think each week it’s gotten better, with last week being the best,” Shanahan said of Purdy’s injury. “I mean, 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. …
“It’s not a hard decision. It’s just more about Brock’s health. It’s been awesome how Mac’s played. He’s been great. But we got a lot of confidence in Brock, and we know Brock will play at a high level, too, as long as he’s healthy.”
The final selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy became the starting quarterback as a rookie after the 49ers lost Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance to injuries. Purdy led San Francisco to victory in his first seven starts before sustaining his first loss in the NFC Championship Game.
The next season, Purdy and the 49ers played in Super Bowl LVIII.
In May, San Francisco signed Purdy to a five-year, $265 million contract extension. In March, the 49ers brought in Jones via free agency for a two-year, $8.41 million contract to work as Purdy’s backup.
“It’s been frustrating, obviously,” Purdy said. “Like going into Year 4, I wanted to come in and play my best ball so far in my career and was really excited about it. We come in, play Seattle and win on the road and just feeling really good about the year, and then all of a sudden, like, I’m just dealing with the toe thing, and it has been frustrating, just the time missed and seeing our team and an opportunity to go and win games, put a season together, man, and feel good about it.
“It’s just been frustrating, for sure, but at the same time, this is just the cards that I’ve been dealt with, and I’m not trying to be woe is me kind of thing. It’s we still have seven games here to to go and put something together, and our goals are right in front of us, so that’s how I’m looking at it. I’m excited about it.”
Purdy handled the QB duties in a 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7 before Jones was under center as San Francisco defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-21 on Sept. 14 and the Arizona Cardinals 16-15 on Sept. 21. Purdy returned for a 26-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 28 before turf toe caused him to step aside for Jones again.
“Anytime a backup quarterback comes in and plays good, I mean, that’s all anyone talks about,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think anyone talks about what people have done in the past whether it’s Brock or whether it’s anybody. I mean, that’s just how the world works with media or anybody, so I don’t look too much into that stuff at all.
“We all know how good Brock’s played in the past. And I think he played really good versus Seattle and struggled versus Jacksonville, which is why we shouldn’t have brought him back then. And I know when Brock comes back, he’ll play the same way he always has, like a very high-level quarterback.”
The 49ers and Cardinals square off at 3:05 p.m. CST Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Sunday’s NFL schedule starts with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) and the Miami Dolphins meeting the Washington Commanders at 8:30 a.m. in the NFL’s first game in Spain. NFL Network will televise the game from Madrid.
At noon, two quarterbacks with Alabama football roots will be in action. Bryce Young (Alabama) and the Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Jameis Winston (Hueytown) and the New York Giants play the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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At 3:25 p.m., Bo Nix (Pinson Valley, Auburn) and the Denver Broncos will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC West Showdown at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
To cap Sunday’s schedule, Jalen Hurts (Alabama) and the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Detroit Lions at 7:20 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. NBC will televise the game.
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