49ers QB Purdy returns to Thursday Night Football, where he proved himself with broken rib

Now the established starter and commercial pitchman, Purdy led 49ers to division title in Seattle despite pain

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy was studying to get a head start on a crammed week of practice with the New York Giants coming up next Thursday night when he heard a familiar jingle in the background.

Purdy and his 49ers teammate Nick Zakelj were watching the Monday Night Football game between Carolina and New Orleans. Until Purdy’s attention was drawn to a pause in the action, it was mostly background noise.

Purdy was looking him in the eyes in his first regional Toyota commercial.

“I hear the music and I’m thinking, ‘Wait a minute,'” Purdy explained on Tuesday. “It was strange.” It was my first time seeing it.”

Purdy, who also has a deal with Alaska Airlines, said the commercial for a pickup truck was a lengthy process.

“We shot all day — for 30 seconds,” Purdy explained.

Nobody asked Purdy to do commercials the last time he played on a Thursday night. His rise to national prominence was in its early stages when the 49ers traveled to Seattle to face the Seahawks for a chance to win the NFC West last December.

Purdy completed 17 of 26 passes for 217 yards, no interceptions, and touchdown passes of 28 and 54 yards to George Kittle. The 49ers won 21-13 to win the division and improve to 10-4 overall.

None of this made the seventh-round draft pick from Iowa State feel any better.

Purdy’s first start in place of Jimmy Garoppolo, who was lost for the season with a fractured foot in the previous week’s win over Miami, was a 35-7 win over Tampa Bay and Tom Brady.

Purdy’s joy at defeating the most prolific quarterback in NFL history was overshadowed by the agony of a fractured rib sustained on the game’s second drive. Adrenaline helped him get through it, but it was useless the next day.

Purdy was unable to throw the ball at all, and it was unclear whether he would play against Seattle. Josh Johnson joined the team as a “just-in-case” quarterback. Coach Kyle Shanahan would have had an easy decision if the 49ers had a viable backup who had been with the team for a longer period of time.

“We probably wouldn’t have (played him) if we had been in a different situation,” Shanahan admitted. “We had to give him every moment, and what he pulled off — being able to play and do it in the way he did — was impressive.”

Purdy will make his second Thursday night start from home, at Levi’s Stadium, rather than on the road.

“Last year, the main focus was, ‘Will I be able to throw come Thursday?'” Purdy stated. “I didn’t throw a ball for three days, and then I didn’t throw a ball until game day.” Now I can concentrate on the plays, the details, and the offense’s operation without worrying about the broken rib.”

Whatever the medical staff did for Purdy that day in terms of pain management was only temporary.

“I was definitely not comfortable,” Purdy admitted. “I definitely felt it for four quarters.” But we were able to save it.”

Purdy had already impressed teammates by making the team and then with his tenacity as the scout team quarterback after Garoppolo took over for the injured Trey Lance in Week 2. Coming off the bench in a win over Miami and then beating Brady added to the respect.

If Purdy hadn’t already won everyone over, what he did against Seattle catapulted him to new heights.

“He showed his toughness, man,” said linebacker Fred Warner. “We didn’t know if he’d be able to hold it together. It was a game-time decision made during warmups, and we desperately needed him.”

Purdy was the last pick in the draft, but he was thought to be capable of leading the team to the Super Bowl.

“Brock played a great game,” said Kittle. “I mean, I’m not going to say that game revealed everything about Brock, but it did lay the groundwork for what we were trying to accomplish.”

Purdy has led the 49ers to seven regular-season victories and two playoff victories, with the only loss coming in the NFC Championship Game after his elbow was shredded in the first quarter.

Purdy’s injury is a distant memory at this point, with his post-surgery rehab meeting or exceeding all physical expectations. Purdy was his usual efficient self (17 of 25, 206 yards, no interceptions, and a 93.1 passer rating) in the 49ers’ 30-23 road win over the Los Angeles Rams, but he drew some of his first criticism since his ascension.

Purdy found open receivers three times on deep shots to Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings. Purdy threw his target three times. He sees the blunders as correctable errors.

“You want to play flawlessly. Is that something real? “Can you play flawlessly?” Purdy stated. “I’m not sure. You’re going to make mistakes, but I’m going to hold myself to a higher standard. So I need to watch that film, learn from it, rep, and build confidence in our ability to hit those shots and opportunities.

“In the past, we’ve hit them. It’s something you learn from, not something you dwell on and let affect your game.”