SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy checked off two more important boxes in his return from offseason elbow surgery Saturday night.
For much of the week, coach Kyle Shanahan was uncertain whether Purdy would play against the Denver Broncos, but he ultimately opted to give Purdy the start with hopes of getting him a full series.
Purdy, playing against an opponent for the first time since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Jan. 29 in the NFC Championship Game, got exactly that. Joined by all projected Niners starters except left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle, Purdy played 10 snaps and led the Niners on a 69-yard drive capped with a field goal to open the game, a 21-20 win.