Brock Purdy, 49ers can clinch NFC West during visit to Seahawks

Brock Purdy emerged victorious from his first career NFL start, but not unscathed. The San Francisco 49ers' rookie quarterback suffered oblique and rib injuries in a 35-7 victory against Tampa Bay on Sunday, but he should be ready to go Thursday night at the Seattle Seahawks. The NFC West-leading 49ers (9-4), who have won six consecutive games, can clinch the division title with a victory against the second-place Seahawks (7-6). Purdy, selected with the last overall pick in this year's NFL draft to earn the title of "Mr. Irrelevant," was hurt on a scramble on the second drive of last Sunday's victory against the visiting Buccaneers. Purdy, who took over from the injured Jimmy Garoppolo two weeks ago, was limited at a light practice Tuesday. "I haven't been out to practice or tried throwing the football or anything yet," Purdy said. "So it's been how I feel walking around or trying to do movements in the pool. I can still jog and run and that kind of stuff but I haven't tried playing football yet." 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he would wait until Thursday to name a starter, though it's expected to be Purdy. Against Tampa Bay, Purdy became the first rookie in the Super Bowl era to throw at least two TD passes, run for a score and have a passer rating of at least 125 in his first career start. Of course, Seattle isn't the easiest place for a rookie making his first road start. Lumen Field is considered one of the loudest venues in the league. "I'm excited for it," Purdy said. "All these guys have played here a bunch of times. So I'm just hearing them out on what's good or not in terms of communication and operation. We'll be ready to roll for it." Purdy will be without wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with injuries to his knee and ankle. Running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) has been a limited participant in practice this week, along with cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) and defensive linemen Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) and Kerry Hyder Jr. (ankle). Defensive tackles Hassan Ridgeway (pectoral) and Kevin Givens (knee), cornerback Samuel Womack (concussion protocol) and safety Tarvarius Moore (knee) have missed practice time. The Seahawks have blown a two-game division lead by losing three of their past four games. They've dropped their past two home games, 40-34 to Las Vegas in overtime and 30-24 last Sunday to Carolina. Quarterback Geno Smith, a leading contender for the league's comeback player of the year, threw a season-worst two interceptions against the Panthers. "I think I've been too aggressive as of late and so I've got to kind of get back to what I was doing early on, which was just taking what they give me and allowing us to have a complementary football team," Smith said. Running backs Kenneth Walker III and DeeJay Dallas both missed last weekend's game with ankle injuries. Walker was limited in practice this week, as was safety Joey Blount (back). Dallas missed practice time along with defensive end Shelby Harris (illness), safety Ryan Neal (knee) and nose tackle Al Woods (Achilles). The Seahawks and 49ers met in Week 2 in Santa Clara, Calif., with the hosts winning 27-7 as Garoppolo came off the bench for an injured Trey Lance. --Field Level Media