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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy 13 and head coach Kyle Shanahan watch from the sideline during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, February 11, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY SBP20240211172 JohnxAngelillo

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy 13 and head coach Kyle Shanahan watch from the sideline during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, February 11, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY SBP20240211172 JohnxAngelillo
The 49ers‘ disastrous season finale loss was compounded by a late-game injury scare to quarterback Brock Purdy, leaving fans holding their breath. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later addressed the concerning play, but his update was only one part of a larger, more troubling picture for the playoff-bound team.
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“Brock Purdy had a stinger there at the end. He would have returned,” he said.
The injury occurred on the game’s final meaningful play, a 4th-and-6 where the pocket collapsed around Purdy. He was hit from both sides as linebackers Derick Hall and Leonard Williams overwhelmed their blockers, sandwiching the quarterback as he released the ball. Hall grabbed his waist from the left side as right tackle Austin Pleasants failed to stop him. From the right side, right tackle Colton McKivitz also failed to stop the defensive end Leonard Williams.
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Brock Purdy got a stinger and would have returned to the game, per Kyle Shanahan pic.twitter.com/8FESt0bTjz
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 4, 2026
As Hall took Brock Purdy to the ground, fans got concerned. Later, the visuals showed bleeding on his right thumb. Purdy has already missed eight games this season with a pedal turf toe. The 49ers have already qualified for the playoffs. So, they need their starter to be fully healthy.
However, the bigger setback was just 3 points by the Niners, the lowest ever in any 49ers game coached by Shanahan. It showed that a quality defense could still unsettle the offense. The injuries have added to the team’s worries.
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Kyle Shanahan gives updates on two more injured players
First, linebacker Dee Winters got injured during the second quarter. He hurt his leg and headed straight to the medical tent. The head coach gave an update on the injury.
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“Dee Winters had an ankle, didn’t return,” Shanahan said.
He is their leading tackler in 16 games with 99 tackles (66 solo), five defended passes, and one interception. If the injury lingers, that could be a worry for the Niners. They have another injured player, who scared the fans.
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On the 1st & 10 play at SF 1, Sam Darnold got the snap and looked for an open player. But linebacker Tatum Bethune got an opening through the offensive protection and sprinted before making the tackle. But he kept getting injured throughout the game.
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He first got injured with almost two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but returned five plays later. He then injured himself seven minutes into the fourth quarter and was marked as questionable to return.
“Tatum Bethune groin, didn’t return,” Kyle Shanahan said.
He is their second-leading tackler with 87 tackles (37 solo) and three passes defended in 13 games. His injury would also worry the Niners if it stretches into the next game.
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Kyle Shanahan needs his entire roster to be healthy. They are hosting Super Bowl LX at home and would like to play in it.
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