Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale, replacing the injured Brock Purdy, who is out with an elbow injury.
Coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Wednesday that Dobbs will be the starter over Brandon Allen for the Sunday game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Allen had started a loss against Green Bay in Week 12 when Purdy was sidelined with a shoulder injury, but Shanahan chose Dobbs this time because of his mobility, which is needed behind a makeshift offensive line that will have third or fourth-string players at left guard and left tackle.
Shanahan praised both Dobbs and Allen, saying, “They’ve been two good guys to have there. I looked at both of them as the 2 through the year. They both have given really good looks in the scout team.
They split reps, and they’re always ready. They both prepare like they’re going to be the starter every week. They’ve been great.”
The 49ers (6-10) are finishing off a disappointing season with their draft position at stake. Depending on the results of the final weekend, they will pick somewhere between 11th and 14th in the first round.
Purdy injured his throwing elbow late in Monday night’s loss to Detroit. He has a bruise and nerve inflammation but no long-term damage to his surgically repaired right elbow.
Dobbs spent time with Arizona last season, joining the team late in training camp and starting the first eight games for the Cardinals. He was traded to Minnesota when Kyler Murray returned from a knee injury and started four more games for the Vikings.
Dobbs has started 14 games in his career, including two for Tennessee late in the 2022 season. He has a 77.5 career passer rating, with 15 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions, and 5.8 yards per attempt. He has also averaged 5.5 yards per carry, with seven touchdown runs, including one on the final drive after replacing Purdy.
Dobbs completed 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards on that drive.
