49ers QB Brock Purdy clears concussion protocol, good to go vs Bengals

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brock purdy 49ers — Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

That was quick. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy cleared concussion protocol, Saturday. And that’s very good news for the 49ers.

San Fran made the announcement Saturday afternoon, posting a short statement on the team site. Purdy is no longer even on the injury list, which means he’ll start against the Bengals. Coach Kyle Shanahan, in speaking with reporters, Friday, said that if Purdy was released to play by the doctors, then he would start.

Purdy had only been in protocol since Wednesday. The team said that the second-year quarterback started experiencing concussion-like symptoms on the plane home Monday night after a loss to the Vikings. The team was off, Tuesday. He missed practice, Wednesday and was limited in workouts, Thursday. However, the 49ers injury report indicated Purdy did full team drills, Friday.

If Purdy had missed the start, Shanahan said he would start Sam Darnold, who the team signed in the off season after Jimmy Garappolo signed with the Raiders.

The 49ers, once thought to be the best team in the NFC, have lost two straight games, both on the road. Injuries impacted them in a 19-17 loss to the Browns. Then on Monday Night Football, San Francisco lost to the Vikings, 22-17.

Purdy threw 2 picks after taking blow to head in 49ers loss

Purdy threw for only 125 yards against the Browns. He threw two late interceptions against the Vikings. He probably suffered the concussion on a quarterback sneak midway through the fourth quarter when he took a hit from Minnesota linebacker Jordan Hicks. There had been speculation that the NFL likely would fine Hicks for the hit. But he wasn’t on the fine list, Saturday. The game officials didn’t throw a flag, either.

Coincidentally, Purdy threw two interceptions after the hit.

Brock Purdy suffered a concussion in the 49ers game against the Vikings. He cleared protocol and will play against the Bengals. (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

49ers injury list

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Deebo Samuel	WR	Shoulder	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Dre Greenlaw	LB	Resting Player	DNP	FP	FP	Unspecified
Brock Purdy	QB	Concussion	DNP	LP	FP	Questionable
Trent Williams	OT	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Questionable
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles	LB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Unspecified
Christian McCaffrey	RB	Oblique	FP	FP	FP	Unspecified

Joe Burrow leads his Bengals against the 49ers Sunday for a key NFL game. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Bengals injury list

Player	Position	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Game Status
Akeem Davis-Gaither	LB	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Orlando Brown	OT	Groin	LP	LP	FP	(-)
Devin Harper	LB	Hamstring	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Josh Tupou	DT	Toe	FP	FP	FP	(-)
Chase Brown	RB	Hamstring	(-)	LP	DNP	Out