SANTA CLARA — Quarterback Brock Purdy is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, after reporting symptoms on the 49ers’ flight home from Monday night’s loss at Minnesota.
Purdy is allowed to partake in Wednesday’s walk-through practice but not in the afternoon session against the defense, which also will be held at a lighter tempo with no pads, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Asked if Purdy can get medically cleared for Sunday’s home game against the Bengals, Shanahan said: “He does have enough time, he just has to go through the process.”
Purdy played the entirety of the 22-17 defeat, and Shanahan said it’s possible the concussion is traced to a hit on a third-and-1 sneak that was stopped for no gain. Purdy converted on a fourth-and-1 dive, then threw an interception with 5:30 remaining.
Shanahan said there were no indications during the game — such as sideline talks with quarterbacks coach Brian Griese — nor immediately afterward in the postgame press conference that Purdy may have endured a head injury,
Sam Darnold would be in line to start in place of Purdy. Brandon Allen has been the 49ers’ emergency No. 3 quarterback through seven games.
The 49ers started 5-0 before losing in Cleveland and Minnesota. The Bengals (3-3) are coming off their bye.