San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle (85) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (42) while attempting to get a first down in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-23. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The 49ers close out their season on Sunday in Arizona, where they have a date with the Cardinals.
Phoenix-area native Brock Purdy won’t have a homecoming game, though, as he suffered a bruised elbow in Monday night’s loss to the Lions. Instead, former Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs will start for the Niners, a month and a half after Brandon Allen started in Purdy’s place in Green Bay.
Purdy isn’t the only starter who will miss Sunday’s finale: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also ruled out with rib and wrist injuries, as was cornerback Deommodore Lenoir with a shoulder injury. Offensive lineman Spencer Burford, who was filling in for the injured reserve-bound Trent Williams, hit the IR late in the week with a calf injury. Williams’ original backup, Jaylon Moore, already landed there two weeks ago with a quad injury.
In more positive news, two team captains who have been working through injuries — George Kittle (ankle) and Nick Bosa (knee) — are expected to play.
It will be a homecoming game for rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, also raised in the Valley of the Sun, who will wrap up a debut season that began with a hospital stay after he was shot by an attempted robber in Union Square on Aug. 31.
Follow along below for updates on the game…
Originally published at Michael Nowels