The 49ers close out their season on Sunday in Arizona, where they have a date with the Cardinals.
Phoenix-area native Brock Purdy won’t have a homecoming game, though, as he suffered a bruised elbow in Monday night’s loss to the Lions. Instead, former Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs will start for the Niners, a month and a half after Brandon Allen started in Purdy’s place in Green Bay.
Purdy isn’t the only starter who will miss Sunday’s finale: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also ruled out with rib and wrist injuries, as was cornerback Deommodore Lenoir with a shoulder injury. Offensive lineman Spencer Burford, who was filling in for the injured reserve-bound Trent Williams, hit the IR late in the week with a calf injury. Williams’ original backup, Jaylon Moore, already landed there two weeks ago with a quad injury.
In more positive news, two team captains who have been working through injuries — George Kittle (ankle) and Nick Bosa (knee) — are expected to play.
It will be a homecoming game for rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, also raised in the Valley of the Sun, who will wrap up a debut season that began with a hospital stay after he was shot by an attempted robber in Union Square on Aug. 31.
Follow along below for updates on the game…