49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to return Sunday vs. Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s injury return will time up with a trip to his hometown to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The 49ers have operated with Mac Jones as their quarterback for eight games this year while Purdy has dealt with turf toe, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy is going to play this week at State Farm Stadium.

Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday that Purdy would practice more aggressively this week, and if he progresses then he will play.

“You can just feel it,” Shanahan said. “A guy you’ve been around for a while like I have Brock, you can just feel how the ball comes off, how he moves, how he reacts.”

Purdy started San Francisco’s season opener after signing a $265 million contract over the offseason. He missed the next two games before a return in Week 4 against Jacksonville, when he suffered a setback.

He has been inactive since, while Jones has continued to play well. Jones is 5-3 in his starts, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has completed 69.6% of his passes, creating some differing opinions in the national media about how the 49ers should proceed at quarterback.

“This is Brock’s team and when he’s healthy and able, he’ll be back out there,” Lynch said to address any controversy.

Shanahan said Purdy is further along than he was when the 49ers trotted him out against the Jaguars, but he likely won’t be 100% at any point this season. His return depends on how close to full strength he can get.

As for a prime target of Purdy’s, second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has also made progress with a knee injury. Another Arizona native, Pearsall has not played since that Jaguars game on Sept. 28. Purdy went to Perry High School, while Pearsall attended Corona del Sol before playing college ball at Arizona State and Florida.

Both Purdy and Pearsall were limited on Wednesday’s injury report.

The 49ers are battling for playoff positioning entering their matchup in Glendale. They are a half-game back from the final playoff spot, as the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are both 6-3.

The Cardinals pushed the 49ers to the limit in Week 3 but lost on a last-second field goal.

Their defense will be banged up with linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. ruled out, edge rusher Baron Browning in concussion protocols and several starters, including cornerback Will Johnson, out or limited in practice on Wednesday (walkthrough).

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