SANTA CLARA — Quarterback Brock Purdy is cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start Sunday when the 49ers face the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium.
Purdy completed the fifth and final stage of the evaluation process Saturday to get the go-ahead from the 49ers’ medical staff and an independent neurologist.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Purdy “definitely” would start if he were cleared in time.
Purdy played the entirety of Monday night’s 22-17 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings, then reported concussion symptoms on the late-night flight back to San Jose.
He responded well enough to practice in various capacities the past three days. He was held out of Wednesday’s official session but was able to partake in offense-only walk-through that day, then was limited on Thursday and had full participation Friday.
Purdy was 10-0 as a regular-season starter before the past two losses at Cleveland and Minnesota.
Sam Darnold is his backup and prepared this past week as he normally does, whether that would be as a fill-in starter or mid-game replacement. Former Bengals backup Brandon Allen is the 49ers’ emergency third quarterback.
NOTES
Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks was not fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Purdy on a third-down sneak that’s suspected of causing Purdy’s concussion symptoms. Only one fine was announced by the NFL: On Vikings safety Josh Mettelus for unnecessary roughness, apparently on his fourth-quarter tackle of Christian McCaffrey.
— Cornerback Kendall Sheffield and wide receiver Willie Snead IV were elevated from the 49ers practice squad.