The San Francisco 49ers have named their starting quarterback for their Week 18 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
With starting QB Brock Purdy working through an elbow injury he sustained in the 49ers’ Week 17 loss to the Detroit Lions, Joshua Dobbs will get the start under center according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Brandon Allen, who started the team’s Week 12 game in Green Bay, will be the backup.
Dobbs was the backup Monday night and played well in a brief stint after Purdy exited the game. He went 3-for-4 for 34 yards through the air, and scored a seven-yard rushing touchdown.
Sunday in Arizona will mark the 15th start of Dobbs’ career. He made eight starts for the Cardinals last year and went 1-7. In his career he’s 3-11 as a starter, completing 62.3 percent of his throws for 2,955 yards with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
The announcement is further evidence QB Brock Purdy will be absent from Sunday’s game. Purdy is dealing with a contusion on his elbow after taking a hit while getting sacked late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss. Barring a miraculous turnaround, his 2024 season will be over.
Dobbs may be playing for a long-term backup job in San Francisco. He and Allen are both slated to be free agents in the offseason. The 49ers will need a new backup signal caller unless they’re enamored with undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai who has been on the practice squad all season.
The 49ers and Cardinals kick off at 1:25pm Pacific Time from State Farm Stadium.
