The 49ers sat most of their starters to open up the preseason, including Brock Purdy. But that appears to be changing for Sunday's bout against the Saints.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to cancel joint practices with his preseason Week 2 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, in light of the increasingly concerning number of injuries his team has suffered during training camp.
Shanahan is on record saying he prefers these practices and scrimmages over exhibition games, especially as they afford players the opportunity to go up against different players and schemes.
With those canceled, however, it's left to the preseason to match that kind of competition in a "meaningless" setting.
The Niners rested the majority of their starters to open up the preseason last weekend against the Tennessee Titans, and Shanahan wasn't commital earlier in the week regarding whether or not quarterback Brock Purdy and Co. would see the field this upcoming weekend.
However, according to Shanahan's Friday presser, it looks as if Purdy and a good chunk of first-team players will take the field, at least for a little while.
Brock Purdy, 49ers starters will see 'a little bit' of field time vs. Saints
Straying from the decision to rest Purdy in preseason Week 1, Shanahan told reporters the plan was for San Francisco's starting quarterback to begin the game on Sunday.
In addition, a good number of starters are expected to play at least a couple of drives when the two teams kick off.
“I want to play a number of them. I wouldn’t say all of them but I’d like to get a lot of them in there for at least a little bit.”
— KNBR (@KNBR) August 16, 2024
Kyle Shanahan on the ones playing on Sunday.
Shanahan added the plan is for Brock Purdy to start vs. Saints. pic.twitter.com/AjbW30mnqH
"I want to play a number of them," Shanahan said. "I wouldn’t say all of them but I’d like to get a lot of them in there for at least a little bit."
Exactly which other players Shanahan was referring to is unclear, and we won't likely know until game time. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is expected to be out until the regular season, and so is left guard Aaron Banks (finger).
However, Sunday will afford Purdy the opportunity to see the field while going up against a different defense than the one he's been facing all offseason.
The 49ers and Saints square off on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.