San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brandon Allen spoke with reporters after Friday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Here's everything they said.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Opening comments:
"Injuries for the game: [CB] Charvarius Ward will be out, [WR] Jacob Cowing, out, [LB] Tatum Bethune, out, [DL] Kevin Givens, out, [DL] Nick Bosa, out, [QB] Brock Purdy, out, [T] Trent Williams, questionable, [OL Jon] Feliciano, questionable. Go ahead."
Is there any development with Brock's shoulder where it got downgraded during the week and is there long-term concern for it?
"I don't want to say there's long-term concern. We got the MRI on Monday. We thought he just needed some rest and really weren't concerned about him not being good this week. But when he started up Thursday, just surprised him, surprised us, how it felt. So we had to shut him down. So, I really don't what to think of it. The MRI doesn't look like that, so it should be alright. But the way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week, so we'll have to see on Monday."
Did it happen on the touchdown run?
"He doesn't know in particular. I don't think so, but he can't remember a play that it specifically happened on."
Is it one of those things where as time went on it just started to bother him?
"Just complained about how tight it was throughout the game and it started happening throughout the game. That's why he was warming up just a lot more than usual. He said he had a hard time keeping it loose and then after the game is when it really started to hurt and then Monday morning is really why he had to go get an MRI for it."
Will QB Brandon Allen start?
"Yes."
What do you like about Brandon?
"I think Brandon's a really good thrower, runs our offense well. He's done a really good job since he's been here, been here two years now. Guys believe in him and believe he'll give us a good chance to win."
Was one of the positives about Brandon that the offense doesn't change very much with him in there? That he's like Purdy in a lot of ways that you don't really skip a beat.
"Yeah, there's not a big game-plan adjustment, this is something that we didn't think would happen early in the week. We were fully preparing for Brock to go and getting a little surprised about this yesterday. Nothing has to change, so that's a good deal for us."
Without Purdy and without Bosa, the situation obviously doesn't look great and it's the NFL, everyone will say you guys have no chance, but things have happened. I guess, what is your message to the team when you face this kind of adversity?
"I think we've had a real good week of practice. I know it's disappointing. We knew there was a chance for Nick, I think the guys were a little surprised with Brock yesterday, but we addressed all that today and we're going to have 48 guys in uniform. I know our guys believe in themselves. I believe in them. We're missing two good players, definitely, but we've got a lot of good players out there. So by no means do we not have a chance to win. We're going to go fight our tails off and expect this to be a real good game."
With Mooney, he just needed some more time?
"Yeah, just taking three full weeks off, it's not like dealing with all that stuff he's getting workouts in or anything like that, so we were just happy to get him back in the building this week. We didn't want to put any pressure on him by any means to get ready to play. He just wanted to get back into the feel. He had two-and-a-half good days of practice. I say half just because of what today's like, but hopefully he'll be good to go next week."
Has Trent shown progress or is it still right up to kick off?
"It's still right up to kickoff."
Does the fact that you went through three quarterbacks a couple years ago and still made the NFC Championship give the team hope knowing that you've been through this kind of adversity before?
"I don't think they look at it that way. It's good to have that story and stuff, but I think why they have hope is because they're with Brandon every single day. I know outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon because he hasn't had to go in yet. But this is Brandon's second year. They see him on scout team all the time. Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play."
Given that Brandon had been sort of in your coaching tree so to speak, with Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and with Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur and Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor who had been with Sean, did he pick things up quickly as soon as he got here?
"He picked things up just being a vet and stuff. I'd say the coaching tree's a little overrated. It branches off. We're all from the same places, but he looks at things where he has been, things are all subtly different, but he's got a lot of experience, been around a while and he's been comfortable and we've been comfortable with him since his first day here."
How did how did Charvarius Ward get through practice this week and where is he at?
"I thought he did a real good job getting through the week. We threw him out. He got to ease in there doing all the scout-team stuff. I thought he really gave us good looks all week. Got his body feeling just more confident each day. Just talking to him, I think he's in a good spot and we all know he's grieving a lot and we know that never fully stops. But I think it has been somewhat therapeutic for him to get out on the football field and things like that and be able to focus a little bit on his craft for just a little bit. He's always going through that and it's nice that we can be here for him as much as we can with him back in the building."
QB Joshua Dobbs was disappointed as he would expect to be when he wasn't the backup. How has he been as the third guy all year running the scout team doing what you asked?
"He's been awesome. They split the scout team reps so they both get equal reps over there throughout the year and really loved having him in the room. And he's been great on the field too."
We haven't asked you about Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love yet. What do you like about him and what's unique about him?
"Just how big of a threat he is. He's a thrower. There's not a throw he can't make. I love his mindset, how aggressive he is. He's always trying to end you. He's always going for the big plays, and he's got the skillset with his feet too that when things aren't there he can make a lot of plays. Big, tall guy, very athletic, and we know how good he's been these two years and he is going to be good for a long time."
Will Brock stay behind for treatment rather than travel?
"No, he'll come with us."
Same with Bosa?
"No, Bosa will stay here."
49ers QB Brandon Allen
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said for a while this week he thought QB Brock Purdy was going to be okay and would play. When did you have a sense like you might be starting?
"Today, really. I know he had a plan for his shoulder all week. He was going to rest it a little bit on Wednesday. I think we kind of split reps there on Wednesday, he was going to rest it a little bit. And then I think the plan was Thursday to come out and practice and I guess just in warmups, just wasn't feeling right. Still expected him to kind of go in, get treatment, come back. But, yeah. Kind of found out today."
This defense has taken the ball away at a really high rate. What do they look like on film to you?
"Yeah, solid defense. Obviously, their defense is a key part in why they have a pretty good record and they do a great job of forcing turnovers. So it'll be our job to protect the ball, keep it in our guys' hands. And that's really, throughout the NFL, that's a big key to winning games is protecting the football."
Obviously, your job is to prepare every week like it's going to be this week, but it's maybe it's easier said than done, I don't know. Does it feel different to you right now, now that you know that you'll be playing?
"Preparation really hasn't changed besides just getting more reps. I think that's really been the only difference this week, was actually getting to throw to some of the guys and getting live reps with [WR Jauan Jennings] J.J., [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.], [TE] George [Kittle], all those guys, [WR] Ricky [Pearsall]. So that was really the only main difference for me this week."
Obviously, you don't want Brock to have an injury, but are you excited about this?
"Yeah, it's an opportunity. The circumstances are what they are, but I think our team, all year long, we've been kind of dealing with injuries here and there and it's been a big next-man-up mentality. So it's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game. And obviously, we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for the time being it is an opportunity for me."
You had all last year in this system as well. What's kind of your state of comfort or readiness to take this on?
"I feel very comfortable in the offense. Definitely going back to last year and then all through this year, just being in the system, calling the plays, seeing them play out, all that. So, I definitely feel comfortable in this offense."
Can you kind of speak from a quarterback's perspective of, if there's a throwing shoulder injury, what kind of fear that strikes for a quarterback and whether you've been through something like that?
"I really wouldn't be able to say, to be honest. I know this is like the first time Brock's missed a game, probably in his life, and he's a tough guy, I'm sure he will bounce right back. I'm not too worried about, I don't think any of our guys are. He'll rehab and get back as fast as he can. And as far as shoulders, it happens. I don't think it'll be anything lingering or long-term for him."
Is there anything you've been able to take away from Brock as far as the way he prepares that helps you? I know you worked behind Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, but I know Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold cited Brock's preparation last year.
"Yeah, he's unbelievable, the way he prepares. And you kind of have to to be able to execute this offense well. There are a lot of motions, a lot of shifts, a lot of things that go into it. And to be on top of all that, and you've seen him on the road doing all that with silent cadence and all that. So there is a lot that goes into it. And his preparation kind of was, when I first got here last year, watching him do, I was like, 'Okay, this is kind of how you have to study here.' Because you can go other places and offenses aren't as, aren't as complex, aren't as difficult so you can still study but you're looking at the same things week-to-week. But in this offense, we really do a good job moving guys around and getting guys open. So there's a lot of studying that goes into it. So watching him prepare and the way he does, I've definitely tried to model my preparation after him."
Does the fact that you've had background with the Shanahan tree, so to speak, I think even back with former quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, I think had been a Shanahan coach. And then you had Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, you've dealt with all those guys. Did that give you some help in running up to this?
"Yeah, I think especially going back to last year, I think first coming in and not just being blown away by the offense and all that because I've had similar reads, we call it different things here and there, but similar reads, similar progressions, pretty much the same routes type things. I do think it helped just in terms of me being comfortable when I first got here. But even so, we do different things and there's more preparation that goes into that. But like I said, going back to last year and this year, I feel pretty comfortable."
Not suggesting that you're about to leave the NFL, but you're 32. Has it ever crossed your mind, like, "Will I ever get another opportunity?"
"I take everything one day at a time. For me, it is my opportunity now, so I'll take advantage of it now. But those things really don't cross my mind, how long you're gonna play and all that. There are definitely guys older than me still playing, so that usually doesn't come across my mind."
What's it been like with your teammates? I know this kind of just happened, but have they kind of rallied around you? You're coming in, in a very critical part of the season for the team.
"Yeah, I think they've done a great job all week. Like I said, we have a big next-man-up mentality, so nothing's really changed for those guys. They work every week. And I think we've had a really good week of practice and getting our timing down with me throwing the ball and all that with some of the guys just because we don't have the built up reps that Brock does with them. But I think it's been a blessing having those guys in the huddle with me and some of the leadership that's in that huddle so I can just come in and fill the spot for Brock for now and just try to make some plays and get the ball in their hands."
Do you have to guard against not trying to do too much, trying to go out there and win the game rather than just do your job?
"I don't know about that, but I don't think I've ever been the type to try to do too much. But as a quarterback, my job is just to get the ball to our playmakers. And so, that's my plan going into the game."
Did you get a message from Brock? Did he say anything to you when it was official?
"Yeah, I just talked to him. He believes in me, says, 'You're here for a reason. Go in, step up, play well.' He'll be back, so I'm not worried about it."
