San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Gilbert native Brock Purdy exited Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a right elbow injury. Purdy was ruled questionable to return after San Francisco’s opening drive but checked back in during the third quarter after his backup, Josh Johnson, left the field with an injury.
Eagles edge rusher and former Arizona Cardinal Haason Reddick strip-sacked the rookie for an early takeaway and made contact with Purdy’s forearm area during his throwing motion.
Purdy was looked at on the sideline and tried to warm up, but the 49ers turned to their journeyman backup.
Brock Purdy is getting checked out on the sideline after being hit in the arm@ErinAndrews has the latest ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KMEJzJbRF3 — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 29, 2023
The rookie was dressed out of halftime, but Johnson went in the game for San Francisco’s first possession after the break.
Eagles defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh hit Johnson’s arm on that first series while he threw, and the veteran hit his head on the turf. Johnson went to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion, and Purdy re-entered the game to hand the ball off before a punt.
On the next possession, Purdy handed the ball off twice and tossed a short screen on third-and-long.
The 49ers only dressed two quarterbacks, so an emergency option like running back Christian McCaffrey was the only other choice.
The winner of Sunday’s game heads to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium, an opportunity for Purdy to win a title in his home state.
The former Perry High School standout and Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year jumped into the QB1 spot for the 49ers on Dec. 4 after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending broken foot.
Purdy started the final five games of the regular season, went undefeated for San Francisco and kept that momentum with a pair of playoff wins against the Seahawks and Cowboys.
Purdy was 2-for-2 with 19 yards to start Sunday’s matchup.
The 49ers have played with four quarterbacks this season, tied for the most in the NFL with the Cardinals, Panthers, Rams, Bears, and Jets, none of which made the playoffs.
