INGLEWOOD — The 49ers found a way to leave Los Angeles with a 30-23 victory over the Rams, but there were definitely pass attempts that quarterback Brock Purdy would like to have back.
Uncharacteristically, the second-year play-caller beat wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings on Sunday, each on separate occasions. All three misses will keep Purdy busy for a while.
“Yeah, probably a lot,” Purdy said after the game. “I just rushed her. The one to BA, the one to Deebo and then JJ on third down. Those are on me. I have to get better, beat them with flying colors and not fall. As simple as that.”
Most importantly, Purdy and the 49ers’ offense found ways to put points on the board and secure a key NFC West division win. Purdy continues to build chemistry with his receivers, but will be on “Thursday Night Football” for the short week of practice leading up to the Week 3 game against the New York Giants.
“We have four days to prepare for the next game,” Purdy said. “In my mind, there were a few opportunities out there that I missed. In terms of the deep ball and so on. But we found a way to win.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan reacted diplomatically to his quarterback’s missed shots. Although he would have preferred Purdy to connect with his receivers, he understood why the plays didn’t go smoothly, but reiterated that he wants Purdy to “make it rip.”
“They were all tough,” Shanahan said. “The Aiyuk competition was probably his toughest, which was the number 1, and he sailed. With Deebo he nailed it all the way through, had a really difficult read and you’d like to do it but he just missed it.
“The one with Jennings didn’t bother me that much. I was a little surprised that the ball went there. Everyone else was covered and you just want to make a play.”
Shanahan was quick to point out that the most important aspect of Purdy’s performance was his ball security. The lack of turnovers by the offense and the two takeaways by the 49ers’ defense clearly tipped the scales in San Francisco’s favor. Shanahan was pleased with his quarterback’s decision-making.
With Purdy recently recovering from a torn ACL, there were naturally questions heading into the 2023 season about how his surgery in March would impact his arm strength and accuracy later this season. Purdy is confident his mistakes had nothing to do with his previous injury.
“No, I don’t think so,” Purdy said. “We fit those deep balls into practice and everything. It’s just a matter of when the balls fly in order to make a precise throw and not knock them over. Don’t subject them, just stay informed.
“That’s what you have to do as an NFL quarterback, and I do that myself.”
Purdy and the 49ers’ offense have just a few days to work on their deep passes before Thursday’s home opener at Levi’s Stadium.
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