GLENDALE, Ariz. – With just over four minutes left in the first half of the 49ers' 45-29 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium, Brock Purdy gave everyone in attendance a scare.
Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck ran into the pocket after Purdy released the ball and hit him over the facemask with his arm. For a few moments, Purdy lay stunned on the field, barely moving.
“I never had [a stinger] before,” Purdy said after the game. “When I was hit, I probably could have surfaced if someone had grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up. That was the first time I had it. Just based on the guys, my teammates, how they explain a stinger, that's definitely what I do [was] Feeling.”
Purdy eventually got up from the field and walked to the blue injury tent to be examined by the 49ers medical staff. Sam Darnold, who came in for Purdy, was on the field for just three plays before the Arizona native returned to the field.
“I just laid there for a second and let it kind of calm down,” Purdy said. “And then I was able to get up and go into the tent, and from then on I felt better. Literally, over time, it just started to disappear. That’s why I was able to go back in mid-trip.”
Deebo Samuel had a front-row seat next to Purdy while the quarterback was on the field, so his concern didn't last as long as it might have for fans watching the game from the stands or at home .
“The feeling was a little different for me,” Samuel said. “He was on the ground and I was standing over him and I was like, 'Brother.' What's wrong with you? What's up?' He says, “I have a little stinger.” So I thought, All right. I knew he would come back into the game, so I wasn’t too worried about it.”
While Purdy was on the field, much of the crowd at State Farm Stadium began chanting his name: “Pur-dy! Pur-dy! Pur-dy!” The Iowa State product admitted he heard the cheers but was more concerned about his health and returning to the game.
“It was cool to hear everyone’s support,” Purdy said. “That was pretty cool.”