The San Francisco 49ers will turn to Joshua Dobbs to start in place of the injured quarterback Brock Purdy when they close out their 2024 season this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. This marks a significant shift for the 49ers, as the team deals with a series of injuries that have left them scrambling for their quarterback situation as the season winds down.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement on Wednesday, confirming that Dobbs would step in for Purdy, who sustained a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation during Monday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions. The injury to Purdy leaves him sidelined, and Shanahan noted that both Dobbs and fellow quarterback Brandon Allen are ready to take on the starting role if needed.
“We’ve got both Dobbs and Allen ready to go,” Shanahan said. “They’ve both been doing a great job throughout the season. We’ve looked at both of them as our number two guys, and they’ve really stepped up when we needed them. They’ve given us strong looks on the scout team, and they’re always preparing like they could be the starter. They’ve been excellent in terms of staying ready and doing the work week in and week out.”
Despite the challenges the 49ers have faced throughout the season, Shanahan made it clear that Dobbs’ mobility gave him the edge in earning the start over Allen, especially considering the team’s struggles along the offensive line. San Francisco has been thin up front, and Dobbs’ ability to move and extend plays with his legs has been a crucial factor in his selection to start.
At 29 years old, Dobbs’ first appearance for the 49ers came just a few days earlier during Monday’s loss to the Lions, when he stepped in for Purdy in the middle of the game. Dobbs completed 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards and also showcased his athleticism by rushing for a 7-yard touchdown. Though the game ended in a 40-34 defeat for the 49ers, Dobbs’ performance offered a glimpse of what he could bring to the table as a starter.
Before joining the 49ers, Dobbs had spent time with several teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings. Drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Dobbs has accumulated 2,955 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 22 games, 14 of which were starts. In addition to his passing abilities, Dobbs has shown his versatility on the ground, rushing for 503 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 career carries. However, his record as a starting quarterback stands at 3-11, a reflection of the challenges he has faced in finding consistent success as a starter.
As the 49ers prepare for the season finale, Purdy’s absence marks the conclusion of a season that saw him throw for 3,864 yards, completing 65.9% of his passes, and securing 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. If Purdy does not return to the field against Arizona, he will finish his third NFL season with strong numbers, but the setback in the final game of the season will likely leave him eager to return and continue his development into the future leader of the franchise.
The 49ers’ injury list was extensive on Wednesday, with 11 players listed as non-participants in practice. Along with Purdy, defensive end Nick Bosa (knee), tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring), and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs/wrist) were among the key players who were unable to practice. While the team hopes to have many of these players back in action next season, their absence in the final game of the year underscores the physical toll that the 2024 season has taken on the 49ers roster.
As San Francisco heads into their season finale against Arizona, the team will look to close out the year on a positive note, with Dobbs at the helm. While the game may not have playoff implications, it presents an important opportunity for Dobbs and other 49ers players to showcase their abilities as they prepare for the challenges of the offseason. With the season winding down, all eyes will be on Dobbs as he takes on the starting quarterback role for the first time as a member of the 49ers.
