Brock Purdy looked good in his first real NFL action against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 last season. He even looked good in his first start the following week against the Buccaneers. It wasn’t until he went on the road for the first time though that head coach Kyle Shanahan was sold on Mr. Irrelevant as the 49ers’ starting quarterback of the future.
A torn UCL wasn’t the first injury Purdy sustained as the 49ers’ starter. He also injured his ribs in his first start when he led the 49ers to a win over the Buccaneers. The ailment nearly kept him out of a Thursday night game against the Seahawks in Seattle, and he didn’t throw a football until right before the game. His performance in San Francisco’s 21-13, division-clinching win in primetime was everything Shanahan needed to see.
