The 49ers have been plagued by consistent injury troubles this season, with their three most crucial players now uncertain for a Week 12 matchup against the Packers.
Most concerning is quarterback Brock Purdy, who recently underwent an MRI on his injured throwing shoulder.
Limited in practice over the past two days, Purdy’s status for the game in Green Bay is uncertain.
During an interview on KNBR, general manager John Lynch described the situation as “tenuous” and noted that if Purdy is unable to play, Brandon Allen would start, with Joshua Dobbs serving as the backup.
Purdy has been San Francisco’s full-time starter since recovering from a UCL tear sustained during the 2022 NFC Championship Game, never missing a start due to injury since then.
Additionally, neither Nick Bosa nor Trent Williams has practiced this week.
Bosa is dealing with an oblique injury sustained during Week 11’s game against the Seahawks, while Williams continues to battle an ankle issue.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed concern over Williams’ situation, noting (via The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch) that the painkilling injection the All-Pro left tackle received last week has not provided relief.
Williams played every offensive snap in Week 12 despite the injection but now faces a potentially significant absence.
The 36 year old has not missed any games this season, though his unavailability last year proved costly, as the 49ers struggled without him.
San Francisco’s offensive struggles during losses to the Bengals and Vikings last season highlighted Williams’ critical role.
A first-team All-Pro for the past three years, Williams’ performance earned him a lucrative contract rework in August.
Bosa, meanwhile, sustained hip and oblique injuries during the loss to Seattle, which have significantly hampered the team’s pass rush.
The 49ers have relied heavily on the star edge rusher since drafting him second overall in 2019.
The team’s resurgence under Shanahan has coincided with Bosa’s arrival, as the lone non-playoff season in that span (2020) occurred when Bosa tore his ACL in Week 2.
While the 49ers added Leonard Floyd in free agency and recently activated Yetur Gross-Matos from IR, Bosa’s potential absence leaves their pass rush in a precarious position.
Allen, 32, was named the 49ers’ backup QB to start the season despite earlier momentum for Dobbs. If Purdy cannot play, a noticeable downgrade to Allen would be unavoidable.
Unlike last season, when injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo did not derail the team, the 49ers may face challenges with Allen under center.
After signing with San Francisco following the 2023 draft, Allen became the third-string quarterback when the team traded Lance to Dallas.
However, Allen may now be thrust into a starting role for at least one critical game.
