49ers reveal Josh Dobbs will start vs. Cardinals for Week 18 season finale

San Francisco 49ers (6-10) head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Josh Dobbs will get the start under center in Sunday’s Week 18 road game against the Arizona Cardinals (7-9).

Dobbs will step in for Brock Purdy, who suffered a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in the Monday Night Football defeat to the Detroit Lions (14-2).

“He’s been great, him and Brandon [Allen],” Shanahan said. “They’ve been two good guys to have there. I’ve kind of looked at both of them as our two throughout the year, kind of a little bit what I said in preseason. But they both have done really good looks on scout team. They split all the reps there. They’re always ready. They both prepare like they’re going to be a starter every week, so they’ve been great.”

Dobbs, 29, is well traveled, having spent time with five teams since entering the league in 2017. This, however, is his first season in San Francisco backing up Purdy. Monday’s brief cameo was his first bit of action this season, completing 3-of-4 passes for 35 yards, to go along with a seven-yard score in the fourth quarter.

Dobbs started 12 games last season for the Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings (14-2), going 3-9. He threw for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 62.8% passing.

Josh Dobbs to get the start in 49ers’ season finale

With Dobbs getting the start, that means Purdy’s season is officially over. Purdy, 25, finishes his second full-time season throwing for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 65.9% passing. Purdy failed to replicate his standout 2023 campaign in which he led the league in passer rating and QBR, finishing fourth in MVP voting.

The former “Mr. Irrelevant” is eligible for an extension on Jan. 6, and all eyes are on San Francisco and whether or not they believe Purdy is the quarterback of the future. Purdy led San Francisco to a Super Bowl last season, but the team has struggled as a whole in 2024 as injuries piled up. He is currently slated to make $1.1 million in base salary in 2025, the final year of his rookie contract.