The 49ers are in real trouble as the calendar turns to December. Kyle Shanahan’s crew currently sits in last place in the NFC West at 5-6 and are outside of the playoff picture.
The good news is that all four teams in the division are sitting right around .500, with the Seahawks and Cardinals at 6-5 and the Rams also at 5-6. The next six weeks will determine who emerges from the contentious NFC West.
The bad news for San Francisco? The team has the seventh-toughest remaining strength of schedule the rest of the way, and it starts with a difficult task in Week 13 against the Bills in Buffalo. To make matters worse, the 49ers may have to play once again without starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy is dealing with an ailment to his right shoulder that kept him out of Week 12. Brandon Allen stepped in his place, but the veteran did not perform well, and San Francisco was blown out by Green Bay at Lambeau Field.
Will Purdy return in Week 13? Here is the latest on his status ahead of Sunday night’s game.
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Is Brock Purdy playing this week?
Purdy is active and set to start against the Bills after missing Week 12 with a shoulder injury.
Purdy was officially listed as questionable on the 49ers’ injury report heading into Sunday. However, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he still expected to start on “Sunday Night Football” against the Bills.
49ers QB Brock Purdy, listed as questionable due to his shoulder soreness, did not experience any setbacks Friday or Saturday and is expected to start Sunday night vs. the Bills, per source. pic.twitter.com/AM0YTiTIyK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2024
The third-year quarterback for San Francisco was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he did practice in full Friday. Schefter reported that Purdy did not suffer any setbacks Saturday, so it appears as though he will be under center for the defending NFC champions.
Josh Dobbs is active as the 49ers’ No. 2 QB, meaning Allen has evidently been demoted to the No. 3 QB role.
WEEK 13 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
49ers QB depth chart
| Rank | Name |
| No. 1 | Brock Purdy |
| No. 2 | Josh Dobs |
| No. 3 | Brandon Allen |
Allen was believed to be in line to start again if Purdy’s injury was too serious for him to play. He started the Week 12 game against the Packers, which ended as an ugly 38-10 loss for the 49ers. Allen went 17-for-29 for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the losing effort.
Apparently, that was all the 49ers needed to see. Dobbs was elevated to the backup role ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bills, leaving Allen as the emergency No. 3 QB.
Dobbs started 12 games just last year between the Cardinals and Vikings. In his 2023 season, the veteran QB threw for 2,464 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
MORE NFL:
Brock Purdy stats 2024
| Games | 10 |
| Completion percentage | 66% |
| Passing yards | 2,613 |
| Touchdowns | 13 |
| Interceptions | 8 |
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