49ers QB Brock Purdy in concussion protocol, status very much in ...

The San Francisco 49ers could be without their starting quarterback for their Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals as head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Brock Purdy had entered into the league's concussion protocol, via ESPN. 

Purdy started having concussion-like symptoms on the plane ride home following San Francisco's 22-17 Monday night loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In the loss, Purdy completed 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards, one touchdown and two fourth-quarter interceptions. 

If Purdy is unable to play on this short week, Sam Darnold would start under center for the 49ers. San Francisco is 9-29 under Shanahan with starting quarterbacks not named Purdy or Jimmy Garoppolo. 

The 49ers have now dropped two straight games after winning 15 consecutive regular-season contests. Purdy threw nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in the first five games of the season, but just two touchdowns compared to three interceptions over the last two games.