Brandon

Allen

Siemian played in Tennessee’s final two preseason games after signing with the team late in the 2024 season. He had a 74.1 PFF passing grade in 34 snaps. Paul Kurharsky reports the Titans want him on their practice squad. This means Brandon Allen has won the job to be Cam Ward’s backup.

Allen is a career backup who has provided serviceable play when called upon. He joins one of the most underwhelming quarterback rooms in the league, currently headlined by Will Levis, though the Titans could soon look to add a franchise quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s draft. Allen is reunited with head coach Brian Callahan from their time together with Cincinnati. If Allen did somehow get into the starting conversation, he’d be a questionable starter even in superflex leagues.

Purdy sustained a right elbow contusion and nerve inflammation, but the injury has “no long-term implications.” Shanahan said the team is unsure if Josh Dobbs or Brandon Allen will start at quarterback against the Cardinals in Week 18. This is great news for Purdy, who likely finishes the season with a 3864/20/12 passing line. It was clearly not the season he had in 2023, but Purdy was able to play well in an offense stuffed with less-exciting players and took more chances down the field. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, much of the offseason noise about Purdy will likely be about his impending contract extension.

Purdy practiced with the starters on Friday, indicating the team expected him to suit up at the time. As Schefter notes, Purdy didn’t suffer any setbacks over the weekend and should be good to go for a Sunday night date with the Bills. Having already missed a game with what was initially described as shoulder soreness, we fully expect the 49ers to take a run-heavy approach this week. Traveling to Buffalo for a windy, snow-covered game will also encourage Kyle Shanahan to lean on his ground game. Purdy will spend a game at the top of the QB2 ranks for Week 13.

Will he throw today? Shanahan told reporters: “We’ll decide when we get out there.” Purdy was reportedly observed attempting just one pass during the portion of practice open to the media. The fact that it was just a screen pass is even more concerning. We suspect Thursday and Friday’s updates will be more impactful as far as Purdy’s chances of playing through his shoulder soreness but a quarterback who isn’t really throwing at practice doesn’t strike us as particularly likely to play. It could be the Brandon Allen show for another week.

Allen’s interception occurred via a tipped pass but he earned the turnover all the same. Allen and the 49ers’ offense put on a lowlight performance that included three punts and three turnovers on 12 possessions. The in-game broadcast broke news about Allen having fractured the middle finger on his left hand two weeks ago, though Allen never once appeared on the injury report during this two-week span. No official word has been given but it would be unsurprising to see Joshua Dobbs under center if Brock Purdy (shoulder) is unable to play next week. Allen would be a low-end QB2 against the Bills in Week 13.

Today’s in-game broadcast broke the news, which probably should have come via a previous 49ers injury report. Fortunately, Allen is a right-handed thrower so the injury will not compromise his ability to throw the football but his ball security in the pocket and during the snap could be impacted. A hard snap in practice reportedly caused the initial injury.

Even Schefter, who is presumably getting this info from a source inside the 49ers’ building, had to add some words of caution to his report. He noted, “Then again, they also thought he would be able to start today at Green Bay before he couldn’t.” Kyle Shanahan and the entire 49ers organization have made a habit of downplaying the severity of injuries this year, so it can’t be taken for granted that Purdy will be back next week. Assuming Brandon Allen can’t pull off the upset versus Green Bay today, San Francisco’s Week 13 matchup with the Bills could be a make-or-break game as they fall behind in the NFC West.

Brock Purdy missed Friday’s practice and is out with a shoulder injury for Week 12. Allen’s last start came for the Bengals in 2021. He entered the lineup for a meaningless Week 18 game and threw for 136 yards and a touchdown on 29 attempts. Kyle Shanahan has had the magic touch when it comes to squeezing every last ounce of efficiency out of backup quarterbacks and that will be put to the test versus Green Bay. Allen is worth stashing in Superflex leagues but is barely on the QB2 radar in his first start of the year.

Like Kyle Shanahan, Lynch also wouldn’t commit to Purdy’s Week 12 availability. Instead, he said the situation “is tenuous” while adding that the team will “go forth accordingly” after getting a look at Purdy in Friday’s practice. If Purdy is unable to play, Brandon Allen would be the favorite to start. Lynch said Allen would take the first snaps in practice if Purdy can’t go. Things remain very wait-and-see for Purdy at this time.