Brock Purdy looks set to get his first preseason work of 2026 when the 49ers face the Chargers on Thursday night.
Kyle Shanahan stopped short of making it official, but the expectation is that San Francisco will put a number of starters on the field in Week 2. That group could include Purdy, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
“49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says he expects “a number of starters” to play Thursday night,” Wagoner wrote. “Said there's a “good chance” that includes QB Brock Purdy.”
That would mark a different approach from San Francisco’s preseason opener, when Purdy stayed on the bench. This time, the 49ers appear ready to use the exhibition setting to get their quarterback some live snaps.
The timing makes sense for a team trying to build chemistry around a reshaped offense. San Francisco brought in wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in free agency and then added De'Zhaun Stribling in the draft. Even if Evans and Samuel don’t suit up Thursday, the 49ers still want Purdy getting as many reps as possible before the games count.
Purdy’s 2026 season is coming after San Francisco’s run to the Divisional Round in 2025. He was limited to nine games because of injury, but he made the most of his time on the field, going 7-2 as a starter while throwing for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
It’s only preseason, but for Purdy and the 49ers, the goal is bigger than the scoreboard. The focus is on seeing how the quarterback runs the offense once the live action begins.
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