Seeing a 49ers quarterback not named Brock Purdy was a sight to adjust to on Sunday night.
Instead, he was replaced by rookie Sam Darnold after aggravating a stinger injury he suffered previously. Purdy had been benched in a huge matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in an eventual, 33-19, loss. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had a perfectly good explanation as to why that was the case.
“Just watching him, how he was that week [after the Cardinals game], and then just being able to hear how he was today and talk to him last night after the game, I think he’s going to be fine,” Shanahan said in a conference call Tuesday, via 49erswebzone.com. “I don’t think it’s going to bother him too [much].
“I mean, I don’t want to take away from it. I’m sure it’s a pain for him, but in overall things, I think he’s going to be fine for us this week.”
Shanahan didn’t provide any injury updates as it was too early to tell, but the comment proved to be positive all things considered.
The Ravens played Grinch against Purdy at the 49ers after Baltimore picked him off four times, limiting him to 255 yards and 18-of-32 passing.
Lamar Jackson found himself prominently entering the MVP discussion after finishing the game with 252 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and 46 rushing yards.
Shanahan added after the game that he wanted to ensure Purdy would be ready for next week to take on the Washington Commanders.