San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy participated in the early open portion of the team's practice on Thursday (October 26) despite being placed in concussion protocol two days prior, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.
"This is an indication Purdy is making progress through the concussion protocol. He has not been fully cleared yet, however. And worth noting that the black jersey for QBs serves same purpose as blue jersey for others: no contact allowed," Wagoner wrote on his X account.
Wagner's report comes one day after head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Purdy had been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol. Shanahan said that Purdy began to show symptoms during the Niners' flight back to the Bay Area from their 'Monday Night Football' road loss to the Minnesota Vikings and the decision was made on Tuesday (October 24).
"He started getting symptoms on the plane," Shanahan said via ESPN. "We finally found that out when we landed. We were all pretty asleep, but then he got all checked up yesterday and now he's in the protocol."
Shanahan said the team wasn't sure when the injury took place during Monday's (October 23) game, but specified that there weren't obvious signs based on the way Purdy was communicating or his performance in the loss. The quarterback was sacked once, experienced three QB hits and was tackled on a pair of attempted sneaks late in the game, including a play in which Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks made helmet-to-helmet contact with Purdy after he ran into a pile on third-and-1.
Former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold will start in Purdy's absence if he isn't cleared in time for Sunday's (October 29) game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Darnold, 26, who signed a one-year deal to join the Niners this past offseason, threw for 282 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 22 of 33 passing during the preseason.
Doug Gottlieb: Dolphins Can't Reach a Super Bowl With Tua Tagovailoa
Brady Quinn Compares Deshaun Watson to a 'Trust-Fund Baby'
Jason Smith: Michigan Sign-Stealing Saga Will Keep Them Out of CFB Playoff
Ex-NFL Player Sergio Brown Transported, Will Face Charges in Mom's Death
Bodycam Video Showed Chris Olave Telling Police 'I Play For the Saints'
Colin Cowherd Ranks the NFL's Top 10 Teams After Week 7
Colin Cowherd Says Michigan Sign-Stealing Outrage is Bred From Jealousy
Dispatch Audio Revealed Serious Allegations Against Chiefs WR Justyn Ross
Joe Buck Accuses the Vikings of Faking Injuries
Colin Cowherd Says This NFL Team is the Best Team in the League