Analysis

On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Purdy was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and a contusion in his right elbow. The coach's decision to appoint Dobbs to the starting role in Week 18 thus comes as little surprise, as the 49ers won't expose Purdy to further injury while the team has little at stake in its season finale. It's likely that Purdy will ultimately be ruled out ahead of Sunday, and he could be placed on injured reserve in order to open up a roster spot. With Dobbs set to start Sunday, Brandon Allen should work as San Francisco's No. 2 quarterback.

Analysis

Purdy sustained the injury with less than two minutes remaining in Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions, resulting in Joshua Dobbs finishing out the game as the 49ers' quarterback. Given that the 6-10 49ers are eliminated from playoff contention, Purdy likely won't be rushed back to the field on a short week, especially after he previously had the same elbow surgically repaired after suffering a UCL tear in January 2023. Expect the 49ers to formally rule Purdy out for Sunday's game by the end of the practice week if they don't move him to injured reserve, but fortunately, Shanahan said that the signal-caller's injury isn't viewed as a long-term concern. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, Shanahan said a decision would be made later Tuesday whether Dobbs or Brandon Allen -- who was inactive Monday as the emergency third quarterback -- draws the Week 18 start in place of Purdy.

Analysis

Purdy will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, but the belief is that he's dealing with a nerve issue while initial tests on his surgically-repaired UCL came back OK, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The quarterback was injured with just under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, when Lions defensive end Patrick O'Connor's hand and facemask landed on Purdy's elbow while safety Brian Branch brought Purdy to the ground for a sack. Backup Joshua Dobbs then came on to play the 49ers' final snaps of the loss while Purdy was seen getting his right arm checked out by team doctors on the sideline. With little at stake for the 49ers in their season finale Sunday in Arizona, Purdy could be a candidate to sit out, even if his injury isn't viewed as a major concern.

Analysis

Purdy danced around a pair of interceptions in order to deliver a gaudy fantasy score for fantasy managers Week 17. The 25-year-old left some points on the table when he was forced to exit Monday's contest after absorbing a hard hit from a blind-side sack just inside of the two-minute warning. Backup Joshua Dobbs finished the scoring drive for San Francisco before time expired. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Purdy is dealing with an injury to his right elbow and will undergo further tests Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. It is worth noting that the injury sustained was to the same elbow that the signal-caller underwent surgery on to repair a torn UCL after injuring it in the 2022 NFC Championship against the Eagles. Purdy should be deemed questionable for Sunday's season finale against the Cardinals until more information is disclosed by the team.

Analysis

Purdy was coming off of his worst showing of the 2024 campaign, so it was a positive sign to see the star quarterback put together an improved fantasy line against Miami. It wasn't all roses for 2022's Mr. Irrelevant, though, as an ugly interception in the fourth quarter killed any hopes for San Francisco to make a comeback. Purdy also led the 49ers with his 26 rushing yards for an injury-riddled squad that was forced to start its fifth-string RB on Sunday. With his team out of playoff contention, Purdy will continue to play out the string in Week 17 against the Lions on Monday Night Football.

Analysis

Purdy was able to engineer a short 39-yard drive on the 49ers' second possession that culminated in a field goal, but San Francisco punted the other six times it had the ball in the first half. After another modest 34-yard march that led to three more points to open the second half, Purdy scuffled throughout most of the rest of the contest and also threw an interception on a deep shot to Jauan Jennings with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Rams would subsequently embark on a marathon 13-play drive that left Purdy with just 11 seconds to try and get the 50 yards necessary for a potential game-winning score, but he threw incomplete and took a sack on the final two plays. Purdy now has thrown for 159 yards or fewer in three of his past four games heading into a Week 16 road trip to face the Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Analysis

Purdy did suffer an injury scare in the fourth quarter on a roughing the passer penalty that saw the quarterback's body bend backward in an awkward fashion between two Chicago defenders. The star QB was writhing in pain on the ground following the hit, but he wound up missing just one play before returning to the field, as reported by 49ers' reporter Cam Inman. Aside from the brief injury scare, Purdy was firing on all cylinders against the scuttling Bears, which comes as a relief to fantasy managers following last week's dud against the Bills in the snow. Assuming that there are no lingering effects from getting clotheslined Sunday, Purdy could be in store for another high score in a potential shootout against the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 15.

Analysis

Purdy and the entirety of San Francisco's offense struggled to gain traction in a blistering snowstorm on the road in Buffalo. The 49ers were forced to lean on the run throughout due to the harsh weather despite playing from behind for much of the contest. Purdy's lone turnover was unforced when the ball slipped out of his hand on a pass attempt and derailed a drive deep in San Francisco territory. Purdy may have lost yet another key weapon, as Christian McCaffrey (knee) was forced out of the contest at halftime and did not return. Purdy will benefit greatly from returning home to Santa Clara, CA when the 49ers enter a soft part of the schedule starting against the Bears next Sunday.

Analysis

Prior to sitting out last Sunday's loss at Green Bay, Purdy barely threw as he dealt with soreness in his right throwing shoulder. He kicked off Week 13 prep in a similar manner to one week prior, but he progressed enough as the week went on to log a full practice Friday and have coach Kyle Shanahan state that the quarterback would return to action Sunday, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Still, Purdy carried a questionable designation into the weekend. Late Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Purdy didn't endure any setbacks Friday or Saturday and was expected to reclaim his starting gig, which now has been confirmed. The 5-6 49ers must win to keep pace in the NFC West, as the Seahawks took down the Jets on Sunday to get to 7-5, the Cardinals lost at Minnesota to fall to 6-6, and the Rams won in New Orleans to improve to 6-6. As a result, Purdy's presence is key for San Francisco's playoff push.