NFL Player News

Hurts completed 15 of 25 passes for 121 yards and added 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in Sunday's 31-7 win over the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

What seemed like it would be a fearsome battle turned into a rout after the Niners lost Brock Purdy to an elbow injury early in the game and were forced to turn to journeyman Josh Johnson (concussion) under center. As a result, the Eagles didn't really need to air it out at all, and all four of the team's TDs came on the ground. Hurts picked up one of them on a one-yard run late in the third quarter, but he otherwise didn't need to do too much. The low passing numbers could give rise to questions about the health of his right throwing shoulder, but with two weeks to rest before the Super Bowl, Hurts should be 100 percent as Philly tries to win its second title in six seasons.

Purdy (elbow) suffered an injury to his right elbow early in Sunday's 31-7 NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles, resulting in four completed passes for 23 yards and one fumble lost.

Purdy technically finished the contest, but only for show after backup Josh Johnson (concussion) was knocked out of the game in the second half. The 23-year-old attempted just two short pass attempts in the second half, as it was apparent that he couldn't throw the ball with his damaged elbow. Purdy will undergo tests Monday to determine the severity of the injury, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, but the initial belief is that the rookie signal-caller sustained a UCL injury that could require a recovery of at least six weeks, and longer than that if surgery is deemed necessary. Purdy surpassed any expectations anyone had for him this season, finishing with a 7-1 record as a starter with 16 passing touchdowns to three interceptions. If healthy, Purdy could be the leading candidate to start for the 49ers in 2023, though 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance (ankle) should at least get the chance to compete with Purdy for the top spot on the depth chart.

Purdy (elbow) is believed to have injured his ulnar collateral ligament in Sunday's 31-7 NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles and will have an MRI on the injury Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Purdy came back into the game after backup Josh Johnson was knocked out by a concussion, but San Francisco's playbook was limited predominantly to runs and screens. The rookie quarterback ultimately completed all four of his pass attempts for 23 yards. If the UCL isn't ruptured, Purdy would likely face a six-week recovery. Otherwise, his recovery timetable could be even lengthier.

Johnson (concussion) won't return to Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

With Johnson having been ruled out for the rest of the contest, Brock Purdy is back in the game, despite dealing with a right elbow injury. Prior to his exit, Johnson completed seven of his 13 passing attempts for 74 yards and carried two times for two yards while also losing a fumble.

Purdy, who had been forced out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles with a right elbow injury, subsequently returned to the contest.

Purdy retook the field after replacement Josh Johnson suffered a concussion that will keep the latter sidelined for the rest of the game. It remains to be seen how much Purdy's elbow issue will affect his ability to throw, but he's now the only QB the 49ers have available Sunday.

Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

Johnson had been pressed into action after Brock Purdy suffered a right elbow injury. Now, Johnson has exited the context, with Purdy back at QB for the 49ers for the time being.

Purdy was forced out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles with a right elbow injury.

Prior to his exit, Purdy had completed both of his passing attempts for 19 yards. In his absence, Josh Johnson is handling the 49ers' QB reps.

Herbert underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder Wednesday, but the team expects him to be cleared for the Chargers' offseason program, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Herbert popped up on the injury report with a left shoulder injury following the Chargers' win over the Rams in Week 17. Herbert finished the contest with 212 yards and two touchdowns but was replaced by Chase Daniel in the fourth quarter. Herbert didn't appear limited by the issue during the regular-season finale against Denver or the wild-card loss to Jacksonville, as he finished with 273 yards in both games and had three total touchdowns during that stretch. The third-year quarterback was an alternate for the Pro Bowl, but he'll sit out the contest and set his sights on preparing for the 2023 regular season.

Murray, who suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee this past December, is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2023 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

At this stage, a precise timetable for the QB's return to action remains unclear, but Rapoport relays that it's his understanding Murray "is not going to rush, so do not be surprised if we don't see him to start the season or maybe even by the midway point. This injury has to heal perfectly." Either way, once he re-takes the field, Murray will be working under a new (yet to be determined) head coach, with Kliff Kingsbury having been let go by the Cardinals earlier this month. Meanwhile, veteran signal-caller Colt McCoy is under contract with the team through 2023, but it's possible that Arizona could add another quarterback to the mix this offseason, given Murray's situation.

Garoppolo (foot) has already been ruled out for Sunday's NFC Championship Game, but the quarterback left the possibility open of returning for the Super Bowl if the 49ers advance, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Garoppolo's rehabilitation from a broken foot has been progressing well -- despite his unavailability for Sunday's tilt against the Eagles -- with the quarterback's only limitation being his ability to sprint at full speed. The veteran signal-caller will need the 49ers to advance past Philadelphia on Sunday in addition to his foot fully healing before Feb. 12 for him to suit up again this season. If that scenario unfolds and Garoppolo is good to go for the Super Bowl, he would likely be the backup to Brock Purdy given the latter's success this postseason.