How Should the 49ers Handle Their Franchise Quarterback's Turf Toe?
In Week One, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy led the team on a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to collect a crucial divisional win against the Seattle Seahawks. Days later, San Francisco listed Purdy’s status for practice as undetermined before their Week Two matchup against the Saints. Later in the week, his injuries would be evaluated with the 49ers listing him out anywhere from two to five weeks. Without Purdy’s services at quarterback in Week Two, backup Mac Jones stepped onto the scene and delivered a signature win to open his 49ers tenure. Jones’ performance should give the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan confidence if they want to take time with Purdy’s recovery process. Even with several divisional games coming up, including this week against Arizona, there should be no rush to get their franchise quarterback back on the field. Jones and the rest of the roster showed they can ride the ship for an extended time if necessary.
If Purdy isn’t fully healthy, it’s difficult to justify putting him back out there. The starting quarterback has already returned to practice as a limited participant, indicating their initial evaluation leaned toward two weeks rather than five. It’s a positive sign to see him out practicing this early in his recovery. However, the 49ers should be cautious with his form of turf toe. The goal for San Francisco needs to be maintaining long-term success over the course of this season, rather than building their outlook on rushing a key contributor back. In addition to Purdy, by midseason, the 49ers should be nearing the returns of George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk. Not to mention, their new offseason additions to the wide receiver room, like rookie Jordan Watkins and veteran Demarcus Robinson. San Francisco is 2-0, and excluding injuries, they should be at full strength when it matters most toward the final stretch of the season.
It would be smart to take Purdy’s turf toe recovery slowly without any setbacks. This injury only adds to his injury and shows the inability of the team’s front office to protect its franchise quarterback. Ownership just decided to pay Purdy the largest contract extension in franchise history, which only emphasizes their need to improve in the trenches. GM John Lynch’s draft philosophy will need to change soon. Just last Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals saw what happened with Joe Burrow, and his injury is the worst form of turf toe. The 49ers can’t afford to run into those same problems.
