San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has shared his growing concern about the recovery of quarterback Brock Purdy, emphasizing the challenges the young signal-caller may face in maintaining his high level of play if he doesn’t return to full health soon. Purdy, who has been a key factor in the 49ers’ success this season, has been battling lingering injuries that have raised questions about his ability to sustain his performance in the long run.
Purdy’s recovery from a series of injuries has been a topic of focus for Shanahan and the 49ers’ medical staff, with Shanahan admitting that he’s worried about the quarterback’s ability to maintain the same level of play if he’s not at 100%. “We’re really monitoring Brock’s recovery, and I have to be honest — I’m concerned,” Shanahan said. “He’s been battling through some issues, and it’s not just about playing through the pain; it’s about making sure he can stay consistent over the long term. He’s an important part of our offense, but his health is the priority right now.”
“The Challenge of Playing While Injured”
Shanahan acknowledged that while Purdy has shown incredible resilience and determination in playing through injuries, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to maintain his peak performance without full recovery. “We know Brock wants to be out there, and he’s been pushing himself, but if he’s not at full strength, it’s going to affect his ability to make those key throws and decisions that are so important for our offense,” Shanahan said.
Purdy, who has been one of the league’s most impressive young quarterbacks this season, has been dealing with nagging injuries that are starting to catch up with him. Shanahan mentioned that Purdy’s ability to make plays on the move, read defenses quickly, and stay accurate with his passes are all elements that could suffer if his health doesn’t improve.
“We Need Brock at His Best”
Shanahan emphasized that while the 49ers have a strong supporting cast, including a talented offensive line and weapons like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, the team needs Purdy to be playing at his best in order to make a deep playoff run. “Our success depends on Brock being able to execute the offense at a high level,” Shanahan said. “If he’s not fully healthy, it changes the dynamic of everything we do. He’s been playing really well, but we need to make sure we’re not asking him to do too much before he’s ready.”
The 49ers have continued to rely heavily on Purdy’s quick decision-making and ability to manage the game, but with his health in question, Shanahan and the coaching staff are beginning to reevaluate how much they ask of him in the coming weeks.
“Health is the Priority”
While the 49ers remain optimistic about Purdy’s potential to bounce back, Shanahan made it clear that the long-term health of his quarterback will be the team’s primary concern. “We’re not going to risk Brock’s future for the sake of one game or one week,” Shanahan said. “We have to be smart and make sure he’s fully ready to perform, not just for the rest of this season, but for the years ahead. He’s a big part of our future.”
The 49ers have been navigating a challenging stretch of the season, and the team is hoping that Purdy’s recovery will allow him to continue to be the leader they need. But with the playoffs on the horizon, Shanahan’s decision to be cautious with Purdy’s health could play a pivotal role in determining how far the 49ers can go this year.
“The Road to Recovery”
As the season progresses, the 49ers will continue to monitor Purdy’s health closely. Shanahan remains hopeful that with proper treatment and rest, Purdy can get back to full strength and lead the team into the postseason. But as Shanahan pointed out, the team’s success will always come second to ensuring that Purdy is at his best and fully capable of performing at a high level.
For now, the 49ers are holding their breath, hoping that their young quarterback will recover in time to make the plays necessary to secure another deep playoff run.
The Week 10 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, held at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025, ended in a narrow 10-7 victory for the Eagles. However, it wasn’t the close score that captured the most attention—it was the controversial Tush Push play that ignited accusations of referee favoritism.
The Controversial “Tush Push” That Changed the Game
With the game on the line and the Eagles facing a crucial 4th & 1, they turned to their trademark “Brotherly Shove.” Quarterback Jalen Hurts was pushed forward by his offensive line, led by Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. A slow-motion replay clearly showed both players moving early before the snap, a violation that should have resulted in a false start penalty. However, no flag was thrown, and the play was allowed to stand. The Eagles capitalized on the extended drive, eventually scoring a field goal that proved to be the game-winning points.
Jason Kelce Admits: “If the refs hadn’t favored us, we probably wouldn’t have won”
In an unexpected admission, Eagles legend Jason Kelce, known for his pivotal role in the Tush Push, opened up about the controversial play on his
New Heights podcast. Kelce, who is known for his candor, shocked fans by acknowledging the possibility that the referees’ leniency helped secure the win for his team.
“Eagles won, and of course, I’m happy for that,” Kelce said. “But to be honest, if the refs had called everything fair, we probably wouldn’t have beaten the Packers. That’s just the truth.”
Kelce went on to explain that the Tush Push is notoriously difficult to officiate, happening in a split second with multiple players moving simultaneously. While he emphasized that there was no intention to cheat, he admitted that “sometimes the rules can’t keep up with the chaos of the game.”
“It’s not about cheating, it’s about the chaos of that moment. If the refs missed it, it’s because the play happens too fast. But yeah… it was a missed call.”
Social Media Erupts Over Referee Bias Allegations
Kelce’s candid remarks sent shockwaves through social media, sparking heated debates. Major NFL accounts such as @MLFootball and @TomPelissero shared the controversial clip, amplifying the discussion.
MLFootball tweeted, “Refs never call false start on Eagles. Unreal.”
Tom Pelissero added, “Didn’t look right, but no flag. And that play decided the game.”
Packers fans were quick to voice their frustration, accusing the NFL of “protecting” the Eagles due to their success with the Tush Push. Eagles supporters, on the other hand, argued that Green Bay had received similar no-calls earlier in the game.
Football analysts like Rich Eisen and Dan Orlovsky weighed in, calling the incident “a wake-up call for the league.” They pointed out that false starts, unlike other penalties, are not reviewable, even when they have a direct impact on the game’s outcome.
The Missed Calls That Fueled the Controversy
Throughout the second half, several key missed calls added fuel to the fire. Two clear false starts by Eagles offensive linemen went uncalled, and a blatant holding penalty by Lane Johnson was ignored during a critical fourth-quarter drive. On the other hand, the Packers were penalized for an offside call on a similar sneak attempt by quarterback Jordan Love.
These inconsistencies led many to believe that the Eagles were benefiting from referee leniency. Ironically, it was the Packers who had earlier proposed banning the Tush Push during the NFL Rules Committee meeting in 2025.
Jason Kelce: “I love the Eagles, but fairness matters more.”
In a final moment of reflection, Kelce spoke out about the importance of fairness in football, an issue that transcends team loyalty.
“I’ll always love the Eagles, but football’s about fairness. You can’t win on missed calls forever. It’s not who we are,” Kelce said, delivering a powerful message that resonated with both Eagles fans and critics alike.
His words carried weight, as Kelce has built his legacy on integrity and toughness, and his honesty about the controversial call left a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles’ 10-7 victory over the Packers will be remembered not just for the close score, but for Jason Kelce’s rare admission about the influence of officiating on the outcome. While Kelce did not blame the referees or his teammates, he used the moment to stress the importance of integrity and fairness in the sport.
“Maybe we won because of a missed call today, but if we don’t learn from it, someday we’ll lose for the same reason.” – Jason Kelce