49ers holding out QB Brock Purdy in finale, Sam Darnold to start

The San Francisco 49ers are holding out quarterback Brock Purdy from Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams and will start Sam Darnold in his place.

The 49ers (12-4) have already clinched the top seed and home-field advantage in the NFC and are taking precautions to make sure their starting signal caller is healthy for the postseason.

"Brock is the only (healthy) guy I for sure don't plan on playing," San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.

Brandon Allen will serve as the backup behind Darnold, who will make his 56th career NFL start. Darnold is in his first season with the 49ers after playing three seasons with the New York Jets (2018-20) and two with the Carolina Panthers (2021-22).

Darnold will receive the majority of the practice snaps on Thursday. On Wednesday, Purdy and Darnold split the workload.

"I want our team to treat this week as like Brock going down on the first play of the game," Shanahan said. "That's why I want them both repping it. I want Brock to get some work this week, and that's something I'd like us to be ready for if that unfortunately did happen."

Purdy has passed for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.

San Francisco has already ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) from Sunday's game. Others not expected to play include defensive lineman Arik Armstead (foot), cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand) and safety Tashaun Gipson (quadriceps).

The Rams (9-7) are holding out starting quarterback Matthew Stafford from Sunday's game. Carson Wentz will start for Los Angeles.

—Field Level Media