New television footage shows the moment Brock Purdy suffered the head injury that could keep him out San Francisco’s Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Wednesday 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Purdy was in concussion protocol.
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Shanahan said the 23-year-old began experiencing concussion symptoms on the flight home following San Francisco’s defeat to the Minnesota Vikings.
Purdy was rocked by a head-on-head clash with Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks in attempting a quarterback sneak halfway through the fourth quarter.
‘Mr. Irrelevant’ played on despite the hit, going on to throw interceptions in the 22-17 defeat, San Francisco’s second loss in as many games.
Now new aerial footage has been shared showing the sickening helmet-to-helmet collision that most likely caused the concussion symptoms.
Hicks could still face a fine for the hit after the incident was missed by the match officials.
NFL rules prohibit a player from lowering his head and making forcible contact with an opponent.
The NFL’s concussion protocol was first introduced in 2011.
It is designed to make sure players receive the best care when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of concussion.
Players need to pass five phases of assessment before they are allowed to return to full participation.
If Purdy fails to prove fitness, former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is set to line up under center.
Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is in his first year with San Fran after three seasons as a Jet and the last two with the Carolina Panthers.
“I have as much confidence in Sam as I could have in someone I haven’t gone into an NFL game with,” Shanahan said on Darnold.
Purdy could join the injured Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams on the sidelines as the Niners look to get back to winning ways against the Bengals.