Is Brock Purdy playing in the 49ers preseason finale vs. the Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers are heading into their preseason finale with some unfinished business. After a rough outing against the Saints, where Purdy struggled without his key offensive weapons, the team is looking to sharpen things up before the real games begin. This week, coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that several starters, including Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, will see some action. For 49ers fans, it’s a welcome sight, but the absence of Christian McCaffrey and the unresolved contract situations with Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk hang over the team like a dark cloud.

Purdy’s last appearance was one to forget. The young quarterback completed just two of six passes, racking up a grand total of 11 yards. He was under constant pressure, getting sacked once and hit three more times during his limited time on the field. Without his top targets and reliable protection, the offense sputtered. Purdy knows this final preseason game is crucial, not just for him, but for the team as a whole. “You want to get as close as you can to the feeling of how it’s going to be Week 1 against New York,” Purdy said. That opener against the Jets is coming fast, and the Niners need to build some momentum.

The good news is that Deebo Samuel and George Kittle will be out there with Purdy this time, giving the offense a much-needed boost. The bad news? Christian McCaffrey will sit out with a calf injury, and the ongoing contract issues with Williams and Aiyuk are far from resolved. General manager John Lynch, speaking on KNBR, said there’s a sense of urgency to get things done, but so far, there haven’t been any “breakthroughs.” It’s a tricky situation - both players are crucial to the 49ers’ success, and their absence looms large.

While the focus has been on Purdy and the offense, there’s been a quiet story unfolding on the offensive line. Third-round rookie Dominick Puni has been turning heads, stepping into the starting right guard spot after injuries to Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano. Puni, who was playing left tackle at Kansas just last season, has shown remarkable adaptability. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed only one pressure in 44 pass-blocking snaps. Puni himself remains humble, saying, “Every day is like another step toward learning something new.” His development could be a huge plus for a line that needs to keep Purdy upright.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are still a few questions to be answered. The cornerback position remains unsettled, with Isaac Yiadom nursing an ankle injury. This opens the door for second-round rookie Renardo Green, who has flashed potential in the early going. Whether he can lock down that third corner spot is still up in the air, but the opportunity is there for the taking.

Linebacker is another position group in flux. Dre Greenlaw’s Achilles injury from the Super Bowl has him likely starting the season on the physically unable to perform list. This puts the spotlight on De’Vondre Campbell, who’s expected to fill one of the starting spots alongside All-Pro Fred Warner. But the real battle is between second-year players Dee Winters and Jalen Graham for that other linebacker position. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has been impressed with their progress, noting that it’s a comPetitive room. “It’s really going to be a tough decision for us,” Sorensen admitted.

With the preseason winding down, the 49ers have a lot to sort out. There’s excitement about what this team can achieve, but also a recognition that they’re not quite there yet. The final preseason Game might not count in the standings, but it could go a long way in setting the tone for the season.

In the end, it all comes back to Purdy and the offense. The pressure is on to perform better than they did against New Orleans. This last dress rehearsal is about more than just winning a meaningless game - it’s about getting the team in sync and ready for the grind that’s about to start. The clock is ticking, and the season opener against the Jets is just around the corner. The 49ers need to show they’re ready for it.