The San Francisco 49ers will have a much-needed boost to their offense in Week 11 as quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will return from injury for Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on KNBR.
Purdy has been unavailable since Week 4 due to an aggravated turf toe initially sustained in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, while Pearsall has missed the same span after suffering a PCL knee injury versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Purdy, who practiced fully on Thursday for the first time since September 26, confirmed he expects to start, with Shanahan officially naming him the Week 11 starter. Backup Mac Jones, who started the past six games and led the team to a 5-3 record during that stretch, will return to a backup role. Purdy’s return comes after a careful rehabilitation process, including limited practices over the past four weeks, with Shanahan assuring that the quarterback will maintain full mobility despite the injury.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old second-year receiver, Pearsall, will also take the field after returning to practice this week on a limited basis. Shanahan acknowledged Pearsall has progressed well and will be eased back into the lineup after missing six consecutive games. Before his injury, Pearsall had reeled in 20 receptions for 327 yards, averaging 81.8 yards per game on 29 targets.
The return of both players reunites San Francisco’s core offensive weapons for the first time since Week 1, providing a timely lift for a team currently sitting 6-4 and fighting to keep pace in the NFC playoff race. The 49ers have already been dealing with season-ending injuries to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, making the return of Purdy and Pearsall a meaningful addition.
The Denver Broncos received tough news Friday afternoon.
As NBC Sports noted, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that running back J.K. Dobbins will amiss Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a significant foot injury.
Rapoport added that Dobbins is “believed to be out for the foreseeable future.”
His placement on injured reserve remains a real possibility as the team evaluates its options.
“Dobbins is still working through options, and while there is no final determination, IR remains a possibility,” Rapoport said.
The report came from himself and Tom Pelissero.
The development marks a quick escalation from earlier in the week, when Dobbins missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.
At that point, the team had not revealed the full severity of the injury.
Dobbins’ injury stems from a hip-drop tackle last Thursday against the Raiders, a play that left him frustrated enough to take to X and call for the move to be banned.
Dobbins ranks fifth in the NFL with 772 rushing yards and has been a huge part of Denver’s offense so far this season.
While Dobbins has officially been ruled out for Week 11, the next major decision comes quickly.
The Broncos must determine by Saturday afternoon whether to place him on injured reserve.
If he is moved to IR before Sunday, the Chiefs game will count toward a required four-game absence.
Placing Dobbins on IR would sideline him for matchups against the Chiefs, Commanders, Raiders, and Packers.
He would be eligible to return Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that discussions are ongoing.
“Nothing has been decided yet, and at some point there will be more clarity with him and some of these other players,” Payton said earlier this week.
Denver’s Week 12 bye gives the team a small cushion, but if the injury is significant enough to keep him out multiple weeks, the IR designation becomes more likely.
“With JK Dobbins potentially headed to Injured Reserve, all eyes turn to RJ Harvey,” Rapoport said.
RJ Harvey has already flashed his dynamic potential in limited work.
Payton praised Harvey’s running style, durability, and readiness to step into a larger role:
“When we drafted him, it was his running skillset, and he had a lot of touches at Central Florida,” Payton said.
“You are starting to see him grow in front of our eyes, and he will have more opportunities in this game.”
Tyler Badie will likely mix in as a third down guy, while Jaleel McLaughlin could be active as well.
Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Chiefs carries major playoff implications for both teams and Harvey has a huge opportunity to step up and flourish in the RB1 role.