The quarterbacks for the 49ers have sustained injury after injury this year. In the NFC title game, they suffered two additional losses due to injury.
Josh Johnson, the fourth-stringer for San Francisco, who replaced Brock Purdy when he was hurt in the first half, had to exit the game early in the third quarter due to a head injury. He wasn’t expected to be able to play again.
Josh Johnson is heading to the locker room.
đź“ş: FOX pic.twitter.com/JRJqwXb1dM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 29, 2023
Since the beginning of the year, the 49ers have been hurting quarterbacks. Trey Lance began the year as the starter, but his season was cut short by an ankle injury suffered in Week 2’s game against the Seahawks. When Jimmy Garoppolo fractured his left foot in Week 13, he regained his starting position.
Purdy, the team’s starter for the balance of the regular season and the playoffs, was selected with the final choice of the 2022 NFL Draft and went unbeaten in those contests. But when Johnson left the game in the first quarter due to a throwing elbow injury, he was forced to come back.
Here are the most recent updates on Josh Johnson’s injury.
Josh Johnson Injury Update
QB Josh Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out. https://t.co/GwqG6sr8yC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 29, 2023
Josh Johnson had to leave the game against the Eagles in the second half while undergoing a concussion test. The injury later caused him to be declared out.
He was tackled while attempting to make a long pass to Deebo Samuel on the third quarter’s first drive. His head struck the ground when he was struck. He had to leave the game immediately since it looked like he was struggling to stand up.
Before a punt, Brock Purdy entered the game and handed the ball off. On the following 49ers drive, he was sent out again, but this time he only tried one throw, a screen to Christian McCaffrey for three yards. He passed the ball twice.
San Francisco was once more forced to punt. Brock Purdy was back on the field after an Eagles touchdown that gave Philadelphia a 28-7 advantage.
Even though he was hurt, Brock Purdy seemed to be the 49ers’ top choice with Johnson out. But things start to get interesting if he can’t play through the pain.
According to the Fox broadcast, McCaffrey would serve as the team’s backup quarterback. In his four attempts for 84 yards and two scores in the NFL, the versatile running back has gained 84 yards.
Kyle Juszczyk, a fullback who has never attempted a pass at the collegiate or NFL level, seems to be the team’s likely backup to McCaffrey.