GLENDALE, Ariz., — It was not only Brock Purdy’s return to the field after missing six games with a toe injury but also a return to the quarterback’s hometown in the 49ers’ 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

“I would just say a lot of excitement,” Purdy said. “I’m always excited every Sunday. But to come back and to miss six weeks, and then my comeback game is here in Arizona where I grew up. So I just thought it was pretty special.” 

Purdy suffered a toe injury in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, and missed two games before attempting to return in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The quarterback aggravated the injury in that loss and missed the next six games. During the process of rehabbing, coach Kyle Shanahan shared that he would let Purdy decide when he was healthy enough to return. 

“I didn’t even think about it honestly in the game or anything,” Purdy said after the game. “At practice, that’s where I tested it all out. I’m at practice rolling out, ‘Alright, do I feel it, do I not? No, I don’t. I feel great.’ And then comes the game, when I warmed up everything I didn’t even think about it, felt great. 

“Throughout the game I was able to do everything — scramble, keepers, rollouts, step up in the pocket, I played quarterback.”

Purdy finished the game completing 19 of his 26 attempts for 200 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback spread the ball around connecting with George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, Kyle Juszczyk, Demarcus Robinson and Ricky Pearsall who was also making his return after missing six games. 

Shanahan was pleased with how Purdy operated the offense after such a long time away from the game. 

“I thought he did a good job,” Shanahan said after the game. “He made some good plays in there, ran the offense real well. A real good first game back.”

Purdy was relieved to be back on the field and to remain healthy throughout the game with six regular season games left to play. Purdy, who rarely misses games, shared how frustrating it has been to not be available for his team. 

“I had to learn how to deal with it and mentally just take it one day at a time, one week at a time,” Purdy said. “And trust that there’s a process to this and the trainers, the strength staff, and everybody that they do this. This is their profession. 

“So trusting in them, our plan that we put together and when I do come back, mentally I’m ready to roll. I’m going to drop back with confidence, rip it with confidence, play quarterback, go through my reads. It was getting to that point. And so, that was all new for me. But, overall it felt good and I loved our plan and I feel great now. I’m glad we won and now it’s onto the next.”

Purdy will have an extra day to prepare for the 49ers’ next game on Monday Night Football when they host the Carolina Panthers.  

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