Joshua Dobbs spent the 2024 season in a backup role, seeing mop-up action in one game. With starter Brock Purdy out, Dobbs got the call for San Francisco in the season finale against Arizona in what amounted to an audition for next season.

Week 18 will mark the second game Purdy has missed this season, but this time the starter in his stead will be different. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday announced Joshua Dobbs would get the start ahead of Brandon Allen, who has been Purdy’s backup for virtually the entire season.

There wasn’t much to be gleaned from a 47-24 loss to Arizona except that free agent Josh Dobbs could be a viable backup for Brock Purdy.