49ers QB Brock Purdy had an MRI of his back and is day to day

That doesn't sound good.

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy struggles with back pain on a daily basis.

“His MRI was good,” Shanahan said in a conference call, “so we're pleased. But he's sore today and hopefully he'll be better by Wednesday.”

Purdy is believed to have injured his back in the 49ers' 27-24 loss to the Rams on Sunday, although it's unclear when he might have been injured. Perhaps during one of his quarterback sneak attempts.

Shanahan downplayed the severity of Purdy's injury, but it's important to remember that Shanahan initially described Christian McCaffrey's Achilles tendinitis as a calf strain, Javon Hargrave's tricep tear as a bruise, and George Kittle's strained hamstring as a cramp. So we'll have to find out for ourselves how injured Purdy really is.

It seems like there's a reasonable chance Purdy won't be able to practice with the team on Wednesday. Shanahan said he hoped Purdy would be able to practice, but he didn't expect Purdy to practice. Big difference.

And if Purdy's back hurts enough to require an MRI, then “pain” is probably an understatement for what he's in. I'm guessing he's in a lot of pain. I'm guessing the 49ers don't really know what his status will be this week.

If Purdy isn't 100 percent healthy, he shouldn't play. He's too important to their future to have him play this early in the season against the Patriots while he's injured. The 49ers should be able to beat New England without Purdy.

Stay tuned.