All of the questions about Brock Purdy’s involvement in training camp disappeared on Day 1. The 23-year-old surprised multiple people, including teammates and Kyle Shanahan, when he was cleared from the get-go.
He’s ramped up and will start to have one fewer rest day, starting next week. But the next question for Purdy is whether he will be involved in the preseason, and if he is, how much?
Shanahan attempted to answer some of those questions on Monday, when he assessed whether the second-year starter would play in the lead up to the season.
The 49ers will travel to Las Vegas this week ahead of early-morning joint practices in the desert with the Raiders on Thursday and Friday. Shanahan reaffirmed his belief that those practices tend to be more valuable than preseason games.
He said that he doesn’t expect Purdy to play against the Raiders in Sunday’s preseason opener, but that it will depend on how well the joint practices go. If they’re disastrous, it would seem, Purdy might get some reps. If things go according to plan, he and most of the starters will likely watch from the sidelines.
But what about the final two preseason games, at home against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers?
Shanahan indicated he would like to have Purdy see some action, even if it’s very limited.
“I think it’s always good to play,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think he has to. A lot of guys don’t have to, but it usually helps.”
Purdy’s involvement is obviously more of a subject of intrigue because of the way his season ended last year, and because Trey Lance suffered a fractured index finger in the preseason opener against the Raiders two years ago, and took until this offseason to properly correct his throwing motion.
That said, Purdy said Friday that he feels no pain in his elbow and is “normal,” as far as feeling comfortable on the field. If Shanahan wants him to go, he sounds ready.