Reddick, whose sack led to Purdy's elbow injury, will not play for 49ers-Jets

Reddick, whose sack led to Purdy's elbow injury, will not play for the 49ers-Jets. Originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s been nearly two years since Brock Purdy suffered a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm during the 49ers’ devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

As he continues to push that grueling game far from his memory, the 49ers quarterback will have no memory of that evening when San Francisco opens the 2024 NFL season against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at Levi's Stadium.

That's because Haason Reddick, the linebacker who once played for the Eagles and now plays for the Jets and whose sack of Purdy caused the UCL tear, is not expected to play.

Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters Saturday it was “fair” to rule Reddick out for the Week 1 game as he continues to wait for a new contract. The 29-year-old has yet to report to his new team this summer, and the suspension will now extend into the regular season.

“Everyone goes through their own process and I maintain that we will welcome him with open arms when he arrives here. We will love him and he will be part of this football team,” Saleh said. “And he will help us win a lot of football games. He has to sort out the financial things that are none of my business.”

“I said it right when I was hired: Our job is to help these guys make money, so I always stay out of it. Our job is to coach him when he gets here and support him when he gets here.”

After sustaining the injury in the conference title game, Purdy was forced to return to the field after then-49ers backup quarterback Josh Johnson took a hard hit and was ejected from the game.

After that season ended in heartbreaking fashion, Purdy opted to undergo major offseason surgery. His rehab went well, and he enjoyed an NFL MVP-worthy 2023 season during his first full season as the 49ers' starter.

While Purdy has likely forgiven and forgotten that unfortunate evening, he can rest assured that he will no longer have to face the man who caused so much pain in the 49ers world.

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