Shorthanded 49ers Enter Must-Win Game Against Packers

At 5-5 and in last place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers face a crucial road matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Already in a desperate position, the team will head into Lambeau Field significantly shorthanded.

Quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive end Nick Bosa have been ruled out, leaving the 49ers without two of their most critical players.

Purdy, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury all week, was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He did not participate on Friday, leading head coach Kyle Shanahan to announce his absence from the game. Purdy reportedly injured his shoulder during last week’s loss to the Seahawks but could not pinpoint the exact moment it occurred.

Losing a starting quarterback is never ideal, particularly with a must-win road game against a contending team. The 49ers will turn to Brandon Allen as their starter, with Joshua Dobbs as the backup.

How Can the 49ers Offense be productive against the Packers without Brock Purdy?

Expect head coach Kyle Shanahan to dial up a more quarterback-friendly offense this Sunday. To win this game, the 49ers must ensure Brandon Allen isn’t placed in uncomfortable situations— whether by falling behind early or facing obvious passing downs throughout the game. The team’s efficiency on first and second downs will be crucial for staying competitive.

To support Allen, the 49ers will likely rely more on screen passes and throws behind the line of scrimmage, putting the onus on their skill players to step up and create big plays. When Jimmy Garoppolo was at quarterback, the 49ers’ offense ranked among the league’s best in utilizing screens and short passes. However, under Brock Purdy, the 49ers have shifted their focus, throwing some of the fewest screen passes in the league while ranking near the top in air yards per attempt.

This week, Shanahan will need to pivot back to a Garoppolo-style offense rather than sticking with the current Purdy system if the 49ers want to move the ball against Green Bay consistently. By avoiding predictable passing situations and leveraging the talents of their skill players, the team can ease the burden on Allen and give themselves a fighting chance in this critical matchup.

The 49ers’ challenges don’t stop there. Defensive star Nick Bosa has been ruled out due to a hip and oblique injury sustained during the Seahawks game. The defense took a noticeable step back after Bosa’s departure last week, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt against Green Bay. Adding to their woes, cornerback Charvarius Ward will also miss the game after returning from bereavement leave, with one week of practice deemed insufficient for his return.

The situation leaves the 49ers with a daunting task: playing a must-win game on the road against a strong opponent while missing two of their most important players. With their season hanging in the balance, San Francisco must find a way to overcome these setbacks to keep their playoff hopes alive.