Brock Purdy will return as the San Francisco 49ers\' starting quarterback Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, barring a setback. Purdy has been sidelined with a right big toe injury since Week 4, missing six consecutive games.
Purdy said Thursday he feels healthy and ready to lead the team. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Purdy\'s impending return in a taped conversation with NBC Sports Bay Area.
\"I feel really good, feel healthy and excited to be back and ready to go and lead the guys,\" Purdy said. \"I\'m really excited about this week.\"
Purdy initially injured the toe against Seattle in Week 1 and aggravated it in Week 4 against Jacksonville. He described the injury as a turf toe variation but said multiple doctors confirmed surgery was unnecessary.
The quarterback was a full participant in Thursday\'s practice after limited work Wednesday. Purdy has taken the bulk of first-team reps this week.
Backup Mac Jones went 5-3 in eight starts while Purdy recovered, keeping the 6-4 49ers in playoff contention. Jones ranks second in the NFL in passing yards per game at 268.9 and ninth in completion percentage at 69.6.
Shanahan reiterated that Jones\' success would not factor into the decision to return Purdy to the starting lineup when healthy.
\"I absolutely love Mac and what he\'s done,\" Purdy said. \"He came in and played extremely well and kept our team alive and moving.\"
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall could also return Sunday after missing time since Week 4 with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee. Pearsall has been a limited participant in practice this week.
\"If I\'m being completely honest, I didn\'t feel ready at any of those weeks,\" Pearsall said. \"I was having pain and I was trying to get to the point where I could push through it, and I feel like I can now.\"