Quarterback Sam Darnold is set to receive his most playing time since signing with the San Francisco 49ers this past offseason. With Brock Purdy sitting out the Week 18 contest, Darnold will make the start in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams.

Linebacker Fred Warner, speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice, was asked to evaluate Darnold's time with the 49ers. After all, the backup quarterback has only briefly appeared in nine games, playing just 69 snaps and throwing only 20 passes, most of which came at the end of a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

"I'm really excited for Sam to have this opportunity," Warner said. "I've seen great things from him since the day he's gotten here, and also, too, him being a veteran in this league, playing against him. He has insane arm talent, making the sorts of throws out on the practice field that I haven't seen anybody make.

"He's a really talented quarterback. It's going to be good for him to go out there and get some [playing time]."


Darnold, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, is in his sixth NFL season, having previously played for the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers. San Francisco signed him with the awareness that Purdy would be recovering from offseason surgery to repair the torn UCL sustained in last season's NFC Championship Game.

Purdy ended up being the 49ers' Week 1 starter and has turned in an MVP-worthy season, setting a new franchise record for the most passing yards in a single season at 4,280.
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