The San Francisco 49ers are hoping a healthy Brock Purdy can breathe life into their playoff hopes when they face the struggling Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Both teams have been battered by injuries, but San Francisco has managed to stay in the postseason picture while Arizona’s season continues to unravel.

Purdy, who has missed six games with a toe injury, impressed in practice this week and is expected to start. Before getting sidelined, he threw for 586 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in two appearances. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the second-year quarterback looks ready to return to form.

“You can just feel it,” Shanahan said via the Associated Press. “You can tell by the way the ball comes off his hand and how confident he moves around.”

Arizona’s depth pushed to its limits

The Cardinals (3-6) will once again turn to backup Jacoby Brissett, who has kept the offense afloat with 1,118 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and only one interception. But the team’s receiving corps has taken another hit — top target Marvin Harrison Jr. is out following appendicitis surgery, while Zay Jones and Simi Fehoko were both placed on injured reserve.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said the constant lineup changes have forced the coaching staff to adapt weekly. “You see who’s available and put a plan together,” he said. “Everybody goes through it, and we just have to adjust.”

Leadership has also been affected, with four of Arizona’s seven team captains sidelined. Quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., and special teams standout Joey Blount will all miss the game.

San Francisco’s ground game still searching for a spark

The 49ers (6-4) have been consistent defensively but continue to struggle generating big plays on the ground. The team hasn’t recorded a run of at least 20 yards in 290 attempts, a drought dating back to last season’s finale against the Cardinals. Despite Christian McCaffrey’s return, San Francisco is averaging just 94.8 rushing yards per game — its lowest 10-game total since 2007.

“If you don’t get big runs, you’re never going to have those numbers,” Shanahan said. “We’ve improved our blocking and timing, but we still haven’t hit that breakout play.”

Receiver Michael Wilson is expected to take over as Arizona’s No. 1 option following Harrison’s absence. The Stanford product has been a steady contributor and says he’s ready for a larger role. “The only thing that changes is how often I see the ball,” Wilson said. “My job’s the same — run fast, block, get open, and make plays.”

The return of Purdy and rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall could also reopen the deep passing attack for San Francisco. The 49ers have connected on just three completions of 20 yards or more since Week 4 but were far more explosive earlier in the season with Purdy at quarterback. (David Brandt | AP)