49ers QB Brock Purdy in concussion protocol, status in doubt for Week 8 game vs. Bengals

The San Francisco 49ers could be without their starting quarterback for their Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals as head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Brock Purdy had entered into the league’s concussion protocol, via ESPN. 

Purdy started having concussion-like symptoms on the plane ride home following San Francisco’s 22-17 Monday night loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In the loss, Purdy completed 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards, one touchdown and two fourth-quarter interceptions. 

If Purdy is unable to play on this short week, Sam Darnold would start under center for the 49ers. San Francisco is 9-29 under Shanahan with starting quarterbacks not named Purdy or Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Purdy would have a tough time suiting up this week against the Bengals as no player placed into the concussion protocol this season has played in the same week. The last player to play the same week he was placed into the concussion protocol was Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett last season.

The 49ers have now dropped two straight games after winning 15 consecutive regular-season contests. Purdy threw nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in the first five games of the season, but just two touchdowns compared to three interceptions over the last two games.