49ers news: Richard Sherman predicts QB controversy, Deebo Samuel back soon?

Richard Sherman thinks the 49ers are poised for a quarterback controversy, thanks to Brock Purdy, and that headlines the Niners news wire today.

The San Francisco 49ers were already heading toward something of a quarterback controversy this offseason, thanks largely to the fact the veteran, Jimmy Garoppolo, had played so well after having entered in relief for the injured 2022 starter, Trey Lance.

Thoughts of Garoppolo returning in 2023, despite his pending free-agent status and coming off another serious injury, had already made the rounds. And despite the Niners’ commitment to Lance to regain his stature as a franchise starter after suffering a season-ending broken ankle back in Week 2, the idea of retaining Garoppolo again simply can’t be put to bed.

Now, there’s a third name in the mix, rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.

Purdy dominated quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, assisting with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in San Francisco’s 35-7 lopsided victory at Levi’s Stadium.

And while Purdy gained plenty of acclaim for becoming the first signal-caller to beat Brady in a first-ever NFL start, longtime veteran cornerback and current Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football analyst Richard Sherman thinks there could be something of a controversy brewing under center in the Bay Area.

Richard Sherman wonders what happens if 49ers win Super Bowl with Brock Purdy

Speaking on his own Richard Sherman Podcast (h/t TheSF49ers), Sherman raised a question any 49ers fan would love to entertain: What happens if the Niners win a Super Bowl with Purdy under center the rest of the way?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzOrat6dor4

“I don’t want to be controversial…,” Sherman said. “But, almost the worst thing that could happen for the 49ers right now is Brock Purdy takes them to a Super Bowl and wins it.”

Yes, that’s a long shot. But, Purdy was instrumental in the Niners’ Week 13 dismantling of another playoff contender, the Miami Dolphins, and he was electrifying against the Bucs, who entered the game with a top-five defense.

“You’re going to have the biggest conflict for 49ers fans in their history [if Purdy wins a Super Bowl],” Sherman continued. “They’re barely going to enjoy a Super Bowl championship. All you’ll hear about is them arguing about Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo.”

As if Niners fans haven’t argued about Garoppolo and Lance all year along (and longer) already, now Purdy is in the mix.

“It’s not a problem I want, but it’s a problem Kyle Shanahan will have,” Sherman concluded.

49ers injury news: Deebo Samuel could return by Week 17

When the cart came out for All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel just before halftime of the Week 14 domination over the Bucs, fans and analysts alike thought he had likely suffered a season-ending injury. Perhaps a broken ankle or torn ACL.

Initial reports suggested no serious damage, though, and there were even hopes he’d be able to return in time for the playoffs.

Now, according to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, it’s looking as if Samuel could return by Week 17, which just so happens to be San Francisco’s New Year’s Day game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

That’s an amazing development considering just how bad Samuel’s injury looked.

In the meantime, the 49ers will look to get by without him on a short week against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, and then they’ll get a home contest against the Washington Commanders in Week 16.

If Samuel misses only two games, it’ll be a massive blessing for the Niners offense.