The 5-5 San Francisco 49ers travel to Wisconsin, to take on the 7-3 Green Bay Packers, this Sunday afternoon, 4 pm (EST) The Packers are favored by three points, with 46.5 total points predicted.
The 49ers need this game to get back on track and keep their playoff hopes alive. But now the 49ers face another problem. Brock Purdy did not throw a pass during Wednesday’s practice. On Thursday, Brock Purdy threw some passes but had to withdraw from practice early.
On Friday, Purdy had an MRI on his right shoulder. After that MRI, San Francisco general manager, John Lynch told KNBR:
“Hopefully, he (Purdy) makes progress and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we’ll see…I think it’s tenuous…Brock’s going to show up here today, and we’ll see where he can go interns of practice, and we’ll make some decisions accordingly. Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs would both be ready, but Brandon would get the first snaps.”
As it turns out, Brock Purdy did not practice on Friday after all. As of 3:00 pm (PST) Purdy has officially been ruled “out” for Week 12 and has been given only “a chance” of playing in Week 13.
How valuable is Purdy to the 49ers offense? So far this season, in 10 games played, the 6’1”, 220lbs, Purdy has completed 202 out of 306 passing attempts for a completion rate of 66% and 2,613 total yards. His average yards passing pregame is 261.3 per game. To date he has thrown 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions for a QBR of 67.5.
Assuming Purdy is ruled out for this weeks contest, the issue for San Francisco becomes the unknown quantity at the quarterback position. Based on Lynch’s above statement, Brandon Allen would get the call. Allen’s stats at quarterback, this year, are non existent as only Purdy has played the position for the 49ers this season.
The last time Brandon Allen played for any substantial time on the gridiron was back in 2021 when he played six games for the Cincinnati Bengals when he had 17 completions in 36 attempts for a 50% completion rate, 149 total yards and two touchdowns. Not exactly an inspiring history of past play that would lead one to have faith in his ability to lead the team come Sunday afternoon. 
But you never know what a guy has inside him until he gets the chance to play. When New England Patriots’ starting quarterback, Drew Bledsoe went down, who knew an unproven backup, named Tom Brady ,would enter the game and wind up dominating for 23 years as “The Goat”?
We should learn on Saturday Purdy’s final playing status. While we hope Brock can play, if it’s a “no-go”, most likely fans will be tuning in Sunday to see how Allen does…sorta like watching a Nascar race and waiting for the crash.
…And Now For Some Good News for San Francisco 49ers Fans
Christian McCaffrey, who, two weeks ago, n his first game back since succumbing to bilateral achilles tendinitis, carried the ball 13 times for only 39 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This past week, against the Seattle Seahawks, McCaffrey carried the the ball 19 times for 79 yards Despite losing the game to Seattle, McCaffrey looked “ok”…not “good”…just “ok”.
This week, McCaffrey did not practice on Wednesday. But the 49ers have stated that his absence from practice is part of “planned maintenance” as he is still recovering from his Achilles injuries. On Thursday, he participated in limited practice but he was not limited in practice on Friday. For 49ers fans McCaffrey’s continued improvement this upcoming Sunday is essential if the 49ers hope to beat the Packers.
Is George Kittle Back for the San Francisco 49ers Against the Packers?
George Kittle missed Week 11’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with what 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan called a “hamstring irritation” which apparently occurred during Week 10’s game against Tampa Bay.
While Shanahan had earlier in week 11, stated he was not concerned about Kittle’s hamstring strain and insinuated early in the week Kittle would be playing against the Seahawks, Kittle was ruled out of that game last Saturday and subsequently was in street clothes on the sideline.
The weather at Lambeau Field is predicted to be 45 degrees at kickoff, not exactly conducive to stretching out a hamstring knot. But the 49ers are going to need the services of Kittle if they hope to prevail in the land of cheese.
Bosa is Also “Out”
Talk about “when it rains it pours”, the San Francisco 49ers All Pro defensive end, Nick Bosa is also out. He was ruled out Friday by coach Shanahan. Bosa is suffering with both hip and oblique injuries.
Other 49ers Ruled Out for Week 12
The offense will also be missing wide receiver Jacob Cowing who is going through concussion protocol. Additionally, on defense, cornerback Chavarius Ward (personal reasons), linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin), have all been ruled out for Sundays game.
The 49ers Need This Game to Keep Their Slim Playoff Hopes…and Status Quo of the Teams Current Personnel… Alive
The 49ers’ injuries, particularly Purdy’s, could not have come at a more inopportune time. A review of the standings shows that San Francisco has only a slim hope of making the playoffs and virtually no chance if they lose to the Packers this weekend. To put it bluntly, San Francisco’s window of Super Bowl opportunity with its current personnel could come to a close if they lose this weekend to the Packers.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming into problems that are a lot more concerning than their current 5-5 2024 season record. With 7 games left and positioned in last place in the NFC West, the 49ers are facing some critical financial decisions in the upcoming off season.
A. Purdy’s Future with the 49ers
Out of the blue, early this week, Kyle Shanahan commented on Purdy’s ability as a quarterback. Particularly, he noted that Purdy’s level of play has remained the same as it was in last years 2023 season. He seemed to infer that Purdy has not improved. This is concerning considering Purdy is coming into what naturally should be a “contract renegotiation year” and most certainly was looking for his payday in 2025. Currently, Purdy is the lowest paid starting quarterback in the league 
While Purdy has been a steal over the years earning only $705,000.00 in 2022, $870,000.00 in 2023, $985,000.00 for this season, he is scheduled to make only $1,100,000.00 in 2025. Certainly ate the end of this season, Purdy, and his agent, were both hoping to modify his contract, substantially increasing his base salary, adding guarantees and extending it for 3-4 additional years. But Shanahan’s recent statement may have thrown cold water on Purdy’s contract aspirations.
B. Kittle’s Future with the 49ers
Other factors that could “break up the band” in San Francisco? George Kittle’s age. Kittle is currently 31 years old. The 6’4”, 250 lbs 2019 and 2023 All Pro tight end could be placed on the trading block at the end of this season. In 2025, Kittle will be in the last year of his five-year contract. This season, 2024, Kittle is earning a base salary of only $1,210,00.00 with a restructured bonus of $12,190,000.00 and a workout bonus of $100,000.00. The cap hit for his contract this year is $12,204,575.00 and a dead cap value of $30,523,000.00
Given Kittle’s age, end of his contract and future salary requirements San Francisco could opt to trade Kittle during this years off season, prior to or during the the upcoming 2025 college draft.
Many other 49er’s could get the axe via trade and free agency during the 2025 offseason. Certainly, 36 year old, offensive tackle Trent Williams is on his way out, as is 28 year old, wide receiver, Deebo Samuel, Sr. in his final contract year.
Yes, there is a lot at stake this weekend for the “Golden Gate City. If San Francisco loses to Greenbay this Sunday, next years 49ers could have a very different look. Brock Purdy’s injury could have a lot more consequences than just missing one game.
Our Partners
