49ers Beat Cardinals but Face Injury Concerns.
Brock Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns as San Francisco held off Arizona 36-30 on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
- Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes; San Francisco outgained Arizona 437-365.
- Christian McCaffrey carried 15 times for 75 yards and one touchdown.
- Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 38 of 52 passes for 280 yards and two scores.
- The Cardinals held the ball for 38:44; San Francisco possessed it just 21:16.
Why it matters: San Francisco stays perfect at 3-0 in the NFC West, but the injury toll complicates that picture. Seven players were hurt during the game.
- Mike Evans was carted off in the second quarter with a rib injury and ruled out.
- Trent Williams sustained a shoulder stinger and did not return, though he reached the sideline.
How 6 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage divides on whether the win reveals a capable, creative offense or an injury-plagued team that survived rather than dominated.
Center coverage, 3 sources: The center presents a straightforward game recap: San Francisco built a lead, absorbed a rally, and closed it out despite Arizona's late push.
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left frames the win as a warning sign — a team accumulating injuries at an unsustainable rate that nearly let a vulnerable opponent back into the game.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right highlights the 49ers' veteran savvy and playmaking creativity — specifically the lateral touchdown — as the story of a team finding ways to win.
What’s next: Evans's status is the most urgent injury question entering the coming week.
- Arizona falls to 1-2 and must regroup after two straight losses.
- How long can San Francisco's depleted defensive line hold up as the season progresses?
- Will Evans miss significant time, and how does his absence reshape the offense?