San Francisco’s Brock Purdy Injured in NFC Championship Game
Former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy left with an elbow injury in the first quarter of the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
Purdy, who took over the starting job in December after an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, was trying to throw a pass on the Niners’ first possession of the game when he was hit on the elbow and wrist by a Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher. The play was ruled a fumble and the Eagles got the football.
Purdy went to the sideline and spoke with team trainers. He then made a few practice throws on the sideline between possessions. But, before San Francisco took over for the second time in the game, Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan had a short discussion.
Right after that Purdy’s backup, Josh Johnson, was on the field.
Purdy returned to the game with 12:30 left in the third quarter, but only after Johnson had to leave the game after taking a hit and having his head land on the turf. Purdy returned for one play, handed the ball to running back Christian McCaffrey and then the Niners punted.
The Niners lost the game, 31-7.
Purdy, who was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was named a finalist for the Associated Press’ NFC Offensive Player of the Year earlier this week. Purdy joined Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III and New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson as finalists.
Purdy came on in relief of Garoppolo and led San Francisco to a 33-17 win over the Dolphins after completing 25 of 37 pass attempts for 210 yards and two scores with one interception.
Then, in his first start, Purdy beat Tom Brady and Tampa Bay, 35-7, and has been on fire since.
Since Week 13, Purdy has completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 1,308 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, while adding three scores on the ground. All of that, combined with a great team around him, has led Purdy to a record 7-0 career as a starting rookie quarterback in the NFL.
Purdy won his playoff debut against Seattle, 41-23, during which he threw for the second most yards ever for a rookie in the playoffs. Purdy also became the first rookie QB ever to account for four TDs in a playoff game. He then helped the Niners to a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.
Purdy finished his Iowa State career owning or sharing 32 school records. He was the winningest quarterback in school history with a 30-17 record. He was 24-11 vs. Big 12 teams and had a 16-1 record as ISU’s starting QB vs. Big 12 opponents in Jack Trice Stadium. He started 46 straight games to end career.
He owns virtually all career school passing records, including passing yards (12,170), total offense (13,347), touchdown passes (81), touchdowns responsible (100), completions (993), passing efficiency (151.1) and completion pct. (67.7).
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