The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 9 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Brock Purdy has been practicing, but hasn’t played since Week 4 due to his turf toe injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is Brock Purdy Playing Week 9?
Purdy initially suffered his turf toe injury during the 49ers’ Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, an ailment that was expected to sideline him for two to five weeks. The quarterback attempted to return in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but aggravated the injury during that contest, forcing him back to the sidelines.
The aggravation has proven more problematic than initially anticipated, as Purdy has now missed four consecutive games since Week 4. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been cautious with his franchise quarterback, understanding that turf toe injuries can be particularly tricky for quarterbacks who rely on push-off power from their big toe.
The injury has proven frustrating for both Purdy and the organization, with the quarterback describing it as ‘so annoying’ and admitting he’s ‘never dealt with something that lingers this long’. Purdy revealed that any movement in the wrong direction could potentially set him back, highlighting the volatile nature of turf toe injuries.
Purdy practiced in a limited capacity all three days this week, representing encouraging progress in his recovery process. He carries a questionable designation into Sunday’s game, which is notable since he’s been ruled out every Friday since aggravating the injury in Week 4.
The fact that Purdy avoided the out designation represents meaningful progress in his recovery timeline. There’s a chance Purdy is active as the backup or is listed as the emergency QB3, but Mac Jones is fully expected to start.
Purdy’s Fantasy Football Outlook
It’s now been over a month since the last time we saw Purdy (toe) and the 49ers are being understandably cautious with him.
I think fantasy managers can be as well.
We really only have two quarterbacks of interest on a bye this week (Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield … Justin Fields counts if you signed up for that experience, but I’d assume you already have a secondary option rostered in that event) and that opens up the door to streamers that I’d prefer over Purdy should he return this week.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Joe Flacco gets the Bears, Sam Darnold the Commanders, and Matthew Stafford the Saints.
Players like Lamar Jackson are the ones where I worry about missing on a big game in their return to action. Purdy could author a big game, but I think the risk/reward equation nets out as about even and that has me generally waiting for him to play a game for San Francisco before he plays one for my fantasy team.
— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe