SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy is set to return to the field on Sunday in the 49ers’ Week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals — but it hasn’t been easy sitting out six straight games.
The quarterback spoke to local Bay Area media on Thursday after practice and shared his journey to return from a turf toe injury originally suffered in Week 1.
“It’s been frustrating, obviously, going into Year 4,” Purdy said. “I wanted to come in and play my best ball so far in my career. I was really excited about it. We come in, play Seattle, win on the road, and just feeling really good about the year. And then all of a sudden, I’m dealing with the toe thing.”
Purdy opened up the season completing 26 of his 35 attempts for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, helping the 49ers come away from Seattle with a 17-13 divisional win over the Seahawks.
The next day, Purdy reported discomfort in his toe, missing the next two games. The Iowa State product returned to the starting lineup in the team’s Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he re-aggravated his toe injury, leading him to sit out the past six games.
During some movement, the pain has been manageable, but Purdy explained which part of the game has been the most difficult to return to.
“More so movement,” Purdy said. “Running and scrambling, so those kinds of things. Dropping back and throwing that’s been pretty good for a while, but to play quarterback in the NFL, things happen and to be myself and play like myself, I have to be able to move a little bit.
“I just wasn’t able to get there for a while, but now I feel really good and I feel ready to go.”
Since Purdy has been away from the game on the field, the quarterback has been involved in the preparation each week, especially in the meeting rooms. The playcaller explained that watching his receivers, tight ends and of course, Christian McCaffrey will help him not skip a beat in his return.
While the first 10 weeks of the season have not gone as planned for Purdy, he is resolute in the timing of his return.
“The time missed, and seeing our team and an opportunity to go and win games, put a season together, man and feel good about it,” Purdy said. “It’s just been frustrating for sure, but at the same time, these are the cards that I’ve been dealt.
“I’m not trying to be a ‘woe is me’ kind of thing. We still have seven games here to play, and put something together, and our goals are right in front of us. That’s how I’m looking at it and I’m excited about it.”
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