Following a "frustrating" six-week absence due to a toe injury, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned to the lineup in smashing fashion, tossing three touchdowns as San Francisco walloped Arizona, 41-22.
On the Niners' second drive, Purdy displayed he was back in form, checking the play at the line of scrimmage and hitting George Kittle for a 30-yard touchdown down the right sideline.
"He was vintage Brock," running back Christian McCaffrey said Sunday, via ESPN. "And that's a huge compliment. He was poised, made some great plays, made some huge third-down throws, kept us in the game, was smart the whole game.
"It's really hard to come back in the middle of the year, and I think people kind of just watch like, 'Oh, he had a good game, whatever.' But to be out that long and to come in and do what he did today is extremely impressive."
The game, in which Purdy tossed for 200 yards on 19-of-26 passing with three TDs and no picks, underscored Kyle Shanahan's confidence in turning back to the starter after some solid play from backup Mac Jones. The offense simply runs better with Purdy at the helm -- and that's not a knock on Jones.
"You just have to look at his numbers," Shanahan said. "Not many people have done it better than him. He's been as efficient as anyone. He's made as many big plays as anyone."
Sunday marked Purdy's ninth career game with three-plus passing TDs and zero interceptions (his first since Week 6, 2024 at Seattle). Only Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes have more since 2022. The starter's 133.5 passer rating marked his 11th time hitting at least 130.0, the most by any QB in his first four seasons since at least 1970.
"Brock's presence in the huddle is just so elite," Kittle said. "He plays the game with this joy that's so infectious, and it's just so much fun to play football with him. ... He was definitely feeling it. I think he's got the confidence; he's got his swagger."
Purdy's return continued the seesaw 2025 for the Niners, who have alternated wins and losses for the past eight weeks (since opening the year with three straight victories). The hope is that, having the starter back in the lineup, San Francisco (7-4) can go on a run. In Week 12, they face the upstart Panthers (6-5) in prime time on Monday Night Football.
