(Santa Clara) Brock Purdy’s NFL career began with the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant” and the week-long trip to Newport Beach to celebrate the last-round draft pick.
With a Conference Finals victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Purdy’s rookie season will end with the biggest game of the year, as the starting quarterback for the 49ers from San Francisco to the Super Bowl.
“Being in the NFC Championship Game means a lot to my team and me,” Purdy said. Looking back, it’s really great. I am very grateful for that. »
PHOTO DOUG BENC, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brock Purdy was the 262e and final pick of the 2022 draft.
It will likely be the biggest test of Purdy’s young career. The Eagles’ defense has led the NFL this season with 70 sacks, and Philadelphia is a pretty hostile place to play.
“In those kinds of games, it’s all about communication,” Purdy said. It’s knowing how to play well, point plays and make them right and make sure we’re all on the same page. This is obviously a key subject of our preparation this week. »
Purdy is only the third rookie quarterback to win two playoff games and the fifth to make the conference final as a starter. He will try to be the first to reach the Super Bowl game.
In addition, the athlete has already surpassed the performances of almost all rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs. He became the first rookie to produce four touchdowns in a playoff game against Seattle. His 332 passing yards was the most for a rookie playing his first spring game since Sammy Baugh, who threw for 335 yards in 1937.
Purdy helped the Niners win their matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 and since then the club have won seven games in a row.
“We stopped seeing him as our rookie quarterback the moment he took over and he probably stopped looking at himself when he got drafted,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. He did a good job. I can’t say enough good things about him. »
Charles Omenihu will be available
The defensive lineman of the 49ers Charles Omenihu will be available for the Nationals final game, despite being arrested in connection with an allegation of misdemeanor domestic violence.
PHOTO JED JACOBSOHN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Charles Omenihu (94)
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday the team would wait for the end of legal proceedings after Omenihu was accused of shoving his girlfriend to the ground during an argument Monday.
“He’ll play if he’s healthy,” Shanahan said. We have analyzed the situation for the last 48 hours, not necessarily me, but other people. We trust the judicial process and do not believe in removing it from the team at this time. »
San Jose police say they were called to Omenihu’s home Monday afternoon to investigate an incident of domestic violence.
The officers did not notice any visible physical injuries, but the woman complained of pain in her arm. She refused to seek medical attention.
The player of 49ers was incarcerated in the Santa Clara County Main Jail for misdemeanor domestic violence. Omenihu was released after posting bail.
The 25-year-old Omenihu is in his second season with the 49ers and his fifth in the NFL.
He set a career-high four and a half sacks this season, then added two sacks in the playoff win against Seattle on January 14.