The Rams’ trip to Melbourne got messy in a hurry, and one snap involving Brock Purdy could end up costing Tyler Davis in a very real way.
The Los Angeles defensive tackle was involved in a second-quarter play on second-and-3 after Purdy’s pass to Deebo Samuel fell incomplete. Even though the result of the play didn’t go San Francisco’s way at first, Davis was flagged for roughing the passer, which kept the 49ers moving and handed them a fresh set of downs.
That’s only the first layer of trouble for Davis. Based on the NFL’s fine schedule, roughing the passer can bring a first-offense penalty of up to $17,911, with the amount potentially rising to $23,882. Since this is Davis’ first such issue this season, the league may or may not choose to act.
The broadcast angle also suggested something worse may have happened on the hit: a possible helmet-to-helmet collision with Purdy. That kind of contact carries its own financial hit, with first-time offenders facing fines of up to $23,882 and repeat offenses climbing as high as $47,762. If the NFL decides Davis is on the hook for both violations, the total could come close to $42,000.
Meanwhile, the 49ers made the most of the Rams’ mistakes in Australia. Purdy turned in a strong season-opening performance, finishing 25 of 34 for 205 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also added five carries for 29 yards and posted a 105.6 quarterback rating.
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Brock Purdy Hit Could Bring NFL Fallout After 49ers Opener
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The NFLs guidelines leave room for fines on penalties like that, and there is already speculation that the collision may have crossed into helmet-to-helmet territory, which could bring added discipline. For San Francisco, the immediate concern is the health of its quarterback and the protection he gets going forward, while the larger issue is whether the league decides the hit in Melbourne was simply a penalty on the field or something more costly when the office in New York takes a closer look. [Read more 🡒]
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The strange part came afterward, when a social media post began circulating with a quote falsely attributed to Bosa about honoring Charlie Kirk, a statement he never made. It was the latest example of how quickly fake quotes can spread around NFL players, following similar fabrications that have previously targeted George Kittle and C.J. Stroud. For the 49ers, it turned a straightforward comeback story into an unnecessary off-field distraction. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Win Over Rams Raised Some Big Questions Fans Cant Ignore
The 49ers 27-7 preseason win over the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground did more than add another result to the exhibition ledger. It also offered a few early clues about how San Franciscos offense wants to function, with Brock Purdy operating behind a line that gave him plenty of time and the backfield drawing attention for a different reason than usual.
Kaelon Black, the rookie running back making his debut, ended up getting more carries than Christian McCaffrey, a usage wrinkle that was hard to miss even in a preseason setting. On the other side, Matthew Stafford never found much rhythm for Los Angeles, finishing 15 of 25 with an interception and no touchdowns, which only sharpened the contrast between the two teams and left the 49ers with a few intriguing questions about what this game might mean once the snaps start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]