Is Brock Purdy playing today? Full injury update for 49ers QB in Week 8
The San Francisco 49ers are 5-2 heading into their Week 8 road bout against head coach DeMeco Ryans and the 2-4 Houston Texans, thanks largely to the unexpected resurgence of quarterback Mac Jones.
Jones, boasting a 4-1 record as a starter in his first year with the Niners, wasn't exactly expected to be in this kind of role. But, after starting quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a turf-toe injury way back in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, Jones' presence has been a godsend.
Purdy has just two starts under his belt as he works his way back from injury. And while each subsequent week suggests the final pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is getting closer to a return, head coach Kyle Shanahan's weekly decisions to inactive the quarterback on gameday seem to reveal the injury is far more serious than originally thought.
But, will that change with San Francisco heading out to Houston?
Will Brock Purdy play for 49ers in Week 8 vs. Texans?
When asked the Monday prior to Week 8's showdown if Purdy would have a shot at starting against the Texans, Shanahan admitted it'd be "a reach," indicating Jones would likely be the go-to option once more.
Purdy was limited in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and there were promising signs he'd be nearing a return.
Then, on Friday for his final injury report, Shanahan declared Purdy would be out against Houston. Jones would get the start, while backup quarterback Adrian Martinez would serve as the QB2 on the depth chart.
Week 8 is the first of two road games for the Niners, and it wouldn't be shocking if Purdy sits out both with eyes on returning for San Francisco in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The 49ers square off against the Texans on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston.
Browns Out on Trade Talks for $32 Million Wide Receiver: Report
The Cleveland Browns make sense as sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but reports coming from one insider indicate they prefer to buy.
Cleveland (2-5) could use a true No. 1 wide receiver given how stagnant the offense has been, both with Joe Flacco and now rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterbacks. After a career year, wideout Jerry Jeudy has taken a major step back, and Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report on Friday referred to the receiver as the Browns’ “most disappointing player” to this point in the season.
“The 2024 Pro Bowler has yet to score a touchdown in seven games and is on pace for just 624 yards,” Gagnon wrote. “That would mark the worst healthy season of the 26-year-old’s career.”
One trade target a couple of Cleveland-based radio hosts floated is New York Jets star wideout Garrett Wilson. However, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com shut down those reports/rumors on Saturday while reporting that the Browns do, in fact, want to add ahead of the November 4 deadline.
“It won’t be Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, because the Jets undoubtedly won’t part with him after they just signed him to a four-year extension in July worth $130 million, including $90 million guaranteed,” Cabot wrote. “Despite rumors on social media, the Browns haven’t given it any thought, in part because they know the Jets wouldn’t consider it, even though they’re 0-7. In fact, they probably won’t add another starting-caliber receiver until the offseason, via the draft, a trade or free agency.”
Wilson, 25, has earned $32 million total through the first four years of his NFL career.
Browns Tied to Garrett Wilson Interest by Cleveland Radio Personalities
GettyNew York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
It wasn’t just social media stirring the pot with regards to a Wilson/Browns trade, but also the “The Tony Rizzo Show” on ESPN Cleveland.
Rizzo and his guest host “Chopz” said on October 22 that they heard Cleveland’s front office was looking into Wilson’s availability.
“There’s a lot of wide receiver chatter out there with the Browns, and [general manager Andrew Berry] is sniffing around,” Chopz said. “Garrett Wilson’s name is popping up right now. … That seems like such an Andrew Berry move, because Garrett Wilson seems to be on the outs in New York because they have a new regime.”
Browns Likely to Consider Less Splashy Trade Targets Than Garrett Wilson, Particularly Considering QB Situation
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Wilson would represent a monster swing at this juncture in the Browns’ roster reconstruction, with rookie QBs in Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders likely to start for the remainder of the season.
Should neither of them set himself apart, Cleveland may use its first-round draft pick to pursue a signal-caller in a solid class of rookie QBs headed to the league in 2026.
But there is something to be said for procuring an elite No. 1 option to help whatever young player ends up becoming the Browns’ next franchise quarterback, particularly if that player is in his mid-20s and under contract through 2030 like Wilson is.
However, Cabot said Saturday it is more likely that Berry and the Browns will look for potentially less flashy additions, albeit meaningful ones of a particular type.
“They would like to land another key player or two like they did cornerback Tyson Campbell in the trade for Greg Newsome II two weeks ago,” Cabot wrote. “If the Browns can find another player or two in his prime that can help them over multiple years, they’ll try to close a deal soon.”
