Joshua

Dobbs

Now on the wrong side of 30, Dobbs arrives as Jacoby Brissett’s replacement to be Drake Maye’s caddy. We would assume Dobbs wins the backup job over second-year pro Joe Milton. Although overexposed as as a multi-week starter, Dobbs’ dual-threat game has an “any given Sunday” element to it. You have a chance. Just not if you need to start him for two months. Considering Maye’s propensity to take mammoth rookie hits, Dobbs has fairly decent odds of seeing 2025 playing time, but hopefully not.

Dobbs also added eight carries for 17 yards and a score in a spot start that had a little bit of everything. Dobbs kept things interesting until crumbling late. He was also missing Jauan Jennings following a first half ejection, while the 49ers rationed George Kittle’s snaps in a meaningless game. Impressive enough, though we would have to imagine coach Kyle Shanahan would probably prefer a little more upside in his No. 2 spot for 2025. That could come in the form of a Day 2/3 draft pick or a more game-day experienced veteran retread. 24 days shy of his 30th birthday, Dobbs has undoubtedly bought himself another year in the league.

Brock Purduy injured his right elbow on Monday and will miss the final week of the season. Brandon Allen will back up Dobbs. Dobbs took over for Purdy on the final drive versus Detroit and looked good, throwing for 35 yards on four attempts while punching in a seven-yard rushing touchdown. He will be in the QB2 mix for the final week of the regular season.

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.

Dobbs came on in relief of the injured Brock Purdy with just under a minute left to play in the fourth quarter after Purdy apparently inured his throwing arm on a sack. There wasn’t an update passed from the team on Purdy’s status with the injury occurring so late, but it could be enough for Dobbs to grab a Week 18 start for the 49ers against the Cardinals.

Bosa was able to work out prior to the contest and felt healthy enough during the pregame warmups. The 49ers will also get Dre Greenlaw for his season debut. With Bosa and Greenlaw back, the inactives for the Thursday Night Football contest are T Trent Williams, QB Joshua Dobbs, DL Khalil Davis, S Malik Mustapha, CB Rock-Ya Sin and RB Israel Abanikanda.

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.

Hufanga is now out with an ankle injury, one week after making his 2024 debut following his 2023 ACL reconstruction. The 49ers will fortunately have Williams (illness, toe) protecting Brock Purdy’s blindside though. Deebo Samuel Sr. is active as well. He remains a high-ceiling WR1, though the 49ers could opt to rest him late in the game if they establish a comfortable lead, as expected.

Kittle and Samuel were already ruled out. Though both players, along with Christian McCaffrey, will be missed, all remaining inactive players are backups. Starting defenders, Nick Bosa (rib) and Charvarius Ward (hamstring/knee) are active, as is Talanoa Hufanga (knee), who makes his regular season debut following his 2023 ACL tear.

Besides Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) landing on injured reserve this week, the Niners go into Week 2 as one of the league’s healthiest teams. Brandon Allen will continue to back up Brock Purdy in Week 2.