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Eric Williams
NFL Reporter
After a first half of the season filled with turmoil and a disappointing 4-4 record, the San Francisco 49ers still find themselves tied atop the NFC West. And as the 49ers head into their Week 9 bye, things could finally be settling in for quarterback Brock Purdy & Co.
Yes, top receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a lucrative, multi-year deal just before the season, is out for the remainder of the year due to torn knee ligaments. But the 49ers have reinforcements in place with first-round selection Ricky Pearsall and fourth-round selection Jacob Cowing. Pearsall recently made his pro debut after recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained in an attempted robbery in August.
The best third receiver in the league, Jauan Jennings, is expected to return next week from a hip injury, along with kicker Jake Moody (high-ankle sprain) shortly after. And defensively, the 49ers are hopeful to get back foundational players from injury in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga later this season.
The best news for San Francisco is that Christian McCaffrey, the engine of the team’s offense, is hopeful to be back for the team’s Week 10 contest on the road against Tampa Bay. McCaffrey has been out all season recovering from Achilles tendinitis.
That means Purdy can stop trying to carry the offense and get back to being the efficient playmaker and decision-maker who was an MVP candidate the past two seasons.
Over his past four games, Purdy has been up-and-down statistically. He has completed 60% of his passes for 971 yards, with five touchdowns and five interceptions for an 82.3 passer rating. The 49ers went 2-2 in those games, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals.
“From my mindset, I’ve got to get back to basics,” Purdy told reporters after San Francisco’s win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. “Keep things simple in my mind. Still playing with conviction but being…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/49ers-dont-need-brock-purdy-superman-just-more-efficient-clark-kent
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Publish date : 2024-10-31 20:58:46
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