The San Francisco 49ers ruled out starting quarterback Brock Purdy because of a shoulder injury and announced backup Brandon Allen as the starter for Sunday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
Purdy, a Pro Bowler who finished fourth in NFL MVP voting last year, injured his shoulder last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the majority of practice time this week.
Allen, a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, has started nine games in his NFL career. Teams are 2-7 when he starts, including a 1-4 mark over five starts with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. Over 16 career appearances in regular season games, Allen has completed 149 of 263 passes for 1,611 yards, 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions.
Allen’s last start came with the Bengals in 2021. He completed 15 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the season finale.
Allen spent time on the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams while Matt LaFleur was on Sean McVay’s staff.
The 49ers also ruled out edge rusher Nick Bosa, the team’s most disruptive pass-rusher, and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable to play.