Brock is back and so is the Niners’ joy

Brock Purdy was back, and the question was whether he or his teammates on the San Francisco 49ers were more excited about the return than he was.   

Not that the issue is anything but minor, and quite acceptable, as for the Niners was the result of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, a 41-22 victory, at State Farm Stadium in  Glendale, AZ.

The 49ers hardly collapsed the six games Mac Jones was their quarterback, as Purdy recovered from that turf toe injury. But Brock is their $50 million man, the one who is supposed to lead them again to a Super Bowl, and so the focus has been as much on his absence as the team’s progress or lack of same.

Sport is as much mental as physical, however, and Purdy’s comeback seemed enlightening, as if the world would now be a better place. And it certainly seemed to be in the game against the Cardinals when the 49ers' Scott Moore took the opening kickoff and ran it 98 yards to the Arizona one.

Christian McCaffrey scored on the next play, and the feel-good memories came rolling back.

This was what the 49ers used to do in their not-long-ago championship seasons: grab an advantage early and then take control. This is not to imply there is a title in the immediate future—right now the Rams look like a better team—but suddenly the Niners appear revitalized. 

And Purdy is ecstatic. As are his teammates.

“It feels great to be back out, to be with the boys. It’s one play at a time, I know we got the guys and we work together.” 

Purdy completed 19 out of 26 passes for 200 yards and, no less importantly, three touchdowns. One of those scoring receptions was by the man often called San Francisco’s best all-around player, Christian McCaffrey, who also ran for two TDs. 

“He was very vintage Brock today,” McCaffrey said of Purdy. “He kept us in the game. To come back in the middle of the year and play the way he did, is very impressive.”

Niners tight end George Kittle was just as enthusiastic about Purdy rejoining him. Kittle caught six passes, two for touchdowns.

“Brock's presence in the huddle is amazing,” said Kittle. “He plays with so much joy that it is infectious.”

That’s understandable. When you are the last man selected in the draft, the so-called “Mr. Irrelevant,” of course you’d be joyful when unexpectedly you’ve become a star in the NFL. 

“I got into a rhythm and felt like we were playing well together,” said Purdy. “It felt good for my confidence.To come back after six weeks, I was very excited.” 

Purdy grew up in the greater Phoenix area, and his family and friends attended the game, an added incentive and reward.

The 49ers still need a defense. The Cardinals' backup quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, set an NFL record by completing 47 passes, good for 452 yards.

Fortunately, in this one, the offense was enough. In fact, more than enough. 

Brock Purdy, back once more, had an enjoyable return.