After losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, the San Francisco 49ers head out on the road for their Wild Card Round game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11. Moreover, the team will need a bounce-back performance from Brock Purdy.
Purdy went 19-for-27 on his pass attempts while recording 127 passing yards, one interception, and having a 64.9 passer rating. Additionally, he was sacked three times by the Seahawks’ defense.
Nonetheless, despite the challenging performance in Week 18, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, understands that Purdy can harm his unit and isn’t taking the QB lightly.
“He’s a scrambler,” Fangio said while speaking to reporters on Jan. 6. “When he’s scrambling, he’s looking down the field. His eyes go down the field. He’s wanting to throw out of the scramble before he decides to run it. He’s very good at it. They have a lot of maximum play-action type protections, where he’s going to have some time anyway. Then, if he doesn’t like what he sees, can buy even more time. And I think that’s why his average is up there so high, as far as holding the ball.”
49ers Reportedly Add Player for Eagles Wild Card Game
Moreover, the 49ers reportedly signed a player right before their game against the Eagles. On Jan. 6, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported, citing sources, that the 49ers have agreed to a deal with veteran LB Kyzir White, who played for the Eagles in 2022 among other teams.
This news comes after Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported on Jan. 5 that Tatum Bethune is done for the season with a groin injury.
Additionally, Linebackers Dee Winters, dealing with an ankle issue, and Luke Gifford, nursing a quad injury, will be re-evaluated later this week. Nonetheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Eric Kendrick’s ability to step in for Bethune.
“He’s been here long enough,” Shanahan said on Jan. 5 (h/t 49ers Web Zone). “These games he’s gotten in, in the last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job of, and I’m glad that we got him for this situation.”
George Kittle Has Positive Outlook for 49ers
Despite the Niners falling short of winning the division and securing the No. 1 seed in the conference, they did get a positive uplift from George Kittle to help turn the page and focus on the Wild Card Round.
“Well, look, we lost at home to a division rival for the division and the one seed,” Kittle told reporters on Jan. 3 (h/t 95.7 The Game). “That sucks. That is what it is. And yes, I’m disappointed about it. It’s horrible. [The] good news is I get to play football next week. Whether it’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, whenever it is, I get to play football again.”
Moreover, while the injuries continue to pile up on the Niners, they should have a couple of guys back for the game against the Eagles.
“We have a whole new season ahead of us,” Kittle added. “It is what it is. We just got to go to work. We have a week. Hopefully, we get Trent back. That’s super helpful. He’s a really good football player. Maybe Ricky. That’s horrible. I hate that; I hate losing. I hate losing to the Seahawks. But hey, we’re going to play football next week. And whoever it is, whenever what happens.”
Eagles Coach Delivers Blunt Words on 49ers QB Brock Purdy