The 49ers’ start to the NFC Championship Game was a worst-case scenario, and it never got much better in a 31-7 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia.
After the Eagles scored a touchdown on the game’s opening series, Brock Purdy lost his first NFL fumble (in 275 touches) and injured his right elbow. Eagles sack leader Hasson Reddick beat tight end Tyler Kroft and hit Purdy on the arm as he was attempting to throw a second-down pass.
The officials initially ruled that Purdy had thrown the ball, but after Philadelphia challenged the play, the call was reversed and ruled a fumble recovered by Eagles lineman Linval Joseph. The 49ers forced a three-and-out, but the turnover was a much smaller problem than Purdy’s injury.
