NFL injury tracker Week 12: Brock Purdy leaves practice early, Mike Evans set to return, DeVonta Smith dealing with hamstring injury

On By Littum

Brock Purdy did not throw a pass during Wednesday’s practice for the San Francisco 49ers. On Thursday, he left practice early and did not speak to the media. That’s a concern ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

speaks to KNBR49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy was limited Thursday.

“He didn’t do much yesterday, but did a little bit more today. He went out there and did a little bit, then he went back about halfway and rested up. Hopefully (his right shoulder) will be fine on Sunday.”

Brandon Allen or Joshua Dobbs would get the start if Purdy can’t go as the 49ers look to improve on their 5-5 record.

Not only are the 49ers waiting on Purdy, they may also have decisions to make on left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and edge rusher Nick Bosa (hip/oblique). Both are nursing injuries and neither has trained this week.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense could get a big boost as wide receiver Mike Evans was a full participant in practice Thursday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.

Evans has missed the Bucs’ last three games – all losses. At 4-6, and with a soft part of their schedule coming up in the next three weeks with games against the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders, his presence on the field will help an offense that gave up 145 points in the four games before he went out with an injury.

“From what I can see, good. Just talking to him, he seems really positive about it,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of Evans “You know, Mike’s a professional. He’s going to do everything he can to get back out there with us and fight for this team as we take it one game at a time.”

Evans, with 335 receiving yards on the season, hopes to return as soon as he can as he seeks his 11th straight season with at least 1,000 receiving yards, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record. Evans needs 665 receiving yards over the Buccaneers’ last seven games to reach the goal.

The Philadelphia Eagles were without wide receiver DeVonta Smith for the second straight day as he deals with a hamstring injury that has been bothering him.

Smith, 26, has missed just two games in his four-year NFL career. He’s played through that hamstring injury this season, but still put up solid numbers: 41 catches for 516 yards and four touchdowns in nine games.

Despite being limited every day last week in practice, Smith ended up playing in their win over the Washington Commanders, catching four balls for 29 yards.

The 8-2 Eagles face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

Here is the rest of the Week 12 injury report. (Players will be added as teams release their injury reports.)