49ers
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan praised the performance by QB Brock Purdy in Week 17 after he accounted for five total touchdowns between the air and the ground.
“I thought Brock had a hell of a game,” Shanahan said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “Brock has been playing his ass off, made some huge plays in this game. Kept some drives alive with his legs, made some off-schedule plays, and he’s an assassin out there … he’s playing as good as it gets right now.”
Purdy’s up to 13 touchdowns across the past three games, and he’s been particularly good at making things happen when Shanahan’s excellent play designs don’t result in an easy completion.
“It’s just one of those things where it’s football, and it’s going to happen,” Purdy reflected. “How can I be smart outside of the design of the play but also have my eyes downfield because guys are moving and working, and there are explosive plays out there. I feel like it’s something that I sort of continue to learn as I go. It’s part of my game.”
The win keeps the 49ers alive for the No. 1 seed despite the avalanche of injuries they’ve dealt with this year.
“It’s huge,” Shanahan added. “So proud of the guys throughout the whole year, proud of today. It’s a hell of a deal being able to have the opportunity to play for the 1-seed, and these guys have earned it.”
Cardinals
Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon defended WR Marvin Harrison Jr., saying he thought he had a great season and he’s looking forward to building upon his sophomore campaign.
“I thought he did some good things,” Gannon said, via ESPN. “We moved him around the formation. He scored points for us. He got open, caught it. I don’t think he has hit his ceiling and look forward to the future with that.”
Gannon added that Harrison could become more of a red zone threat after adding 11 pounds this offseason.
“I thought that he made some contested catches because of some size,” Gannon said. “And we’ll look at that in the future and see if that’s the right thing.”
Rams
- Rams HC Sean McVay gave injury updates on a plethora of players, via USA Today’s Cameron DaSilva. The goal for Los Angeles is to have WR Davante Adams (hamstring) and S Quentin Lake (elbow) back in time for the playoffs next week, with Lake opening his practice window today.
- McVay told reporters that LT Alaric Jackson (knee) should return in Week 18. However, RT Rob Havenstein (knee, ankle) remains on injured reserve.
- The Rams designated TE Tyler Higbee to return from injured reserve last week but it’s unclear when he will be able to play. Said McVay: “We’ll see how the week progresses. If he is able to go, it’d be great to be able to get him some snaps before the playoffs end up starting. If he’s not, then we’re hopeful that the playoffs will represent for sure him being ready to go.”
- McVay didn’t address G Kevin Dotson (ankle) who was hurt in Week 16 against the Seahawks, but Adam Grosbard of the OC Register said Dotson was spotted moving very gingerly in the locker room.
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