If you’re checking your watch and wondering is Brock Purdy playing today, the short answer is a massive yes. Honestly, it’s the only answer that matters for Niners fans right now. Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, Brock Purdy is set to lead the San Francisco 49ers into Lumen Field for a high-stakes NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is locked for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) on FOX.
It’s been a wild ride getting here. Just a few weeks ago, everyone was holding their breath after Purdy went to the medical tent during that messy Week 18 loss to these same Seahawks. He had a bloody thumb and a shoulder stinger that looked a lot worse on the replay than it actually was. But he’s back. He's healthy. He's starting.
Why Brock Purdy is playing today despite the injury scares
You’ve probably heard the rumors or saw the "questionable" tags floating around earlier this month. Purdy has been a bit of a magnet for minor dings this season—a toe issue back in the fall, that shoulder stinger in early January. But the guy is tough. He proved that last week when the 49ers went into Philadelphia for the Wild Card round and ground out a gritty win.
Basically, Kyle Shanahan confirmed that if there had been more time on the clock in that Week 18 game, Purdy would have gone back in. There’s no structural damage. He’s been a full participant in practice this week, and the 49ers' medical staff gave him the green light days ago.
💡 You might also like: Duke Football Recruiting 2025: Manny Diaz Just Flipped the Script in Durham
Here is the thing: the 49ers are currently the No. 6 seed. They don’t have the luxury of resting people. Seattle is the No. 1 seed and they're coming off a bye, which means Purdy has to be at 100% to even stand a chance.
The Lumen Field "Curse" and Purdy’s Secret Weapon
A lot of people talk about how loud Seattle is. It’s "The 12th Man" and all that. But Purdy sort of treats it like his own backyard. Did you know he’s actually 4-0 at Lumen Field? It’s kind of a weird stat when you consider how many veteran QBs crumble in that noise.
He’s playing today because he’s the only one who seems to keep his cool when the stadium is literally shaking. However, he’s going to be doing it without one of his biggest safety blankets. George Kittle is out. That Achilles injury from the Wild Card round is a season-ender. That's a huge blow.
📖 Related: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
What the 49ers offense looks like tonight
Without Kittle, Purdy has to find other ways to move the chains. Expect a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey. CMC has been his usual superhuman self, but the Seahawks' defense is currently ranked as the top scoring defense in the league. They aren't just going to let him run wild.
- Jauan Jennings is going to be the "X-factor" tonight. He’s been Purdy’s most reliable target when things get chaotic.
- Ricky Pearsall is officially active. This is big because the 49ers need that speed to stretch the field.
- Brandon Parker and Sebastian Valdez were elevated from the practice squad today, mostly for depth on the lines.
Seattle's coach, Mike Macdonald, has traditionally been Purdy’s kryptonite. Remember that 2023 Christmas game where Purdy threw four picks? Yeah, Macdonald was the coordinator for Baltimore then. Since he took over in Seattle, the 49ers' offense has struggled to get past 18 points a game. That’s the real hurdle today.
Is Brock Purdy playing today? The betting and fantasy outlook
If you’re looking at the lines, Seattle is favored by about 7 points. That’s a lot for a playoff game between rivals, but it reflects how much people worry about the 49ers' injuries. Beyond Purdy being under center, the defense is missing Fred Warner (ankle) and Ji’Ayir Brown.
👉 See also: College Football Top 10: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
For the fantasy crowd or the prop bettors, Purdy’s over/under for passing yards is usually sitting around 245.5. Given that he only threw for 127 yards last time he was in Seattle, the "Under" might look tempting, but remember: this is playoff Brock. He tends to find a way to stack yards when the season is on the line.
How to watch the game
If you’re scrambling for the remote, here are the specifics:
- Game: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX Sports App, Fubo, or YouTube TV
Actionable steps for fans today
Since we know is Brock Purdy playing today (yes, he is!), you should prepare for a game that likely won't be a shootout.
- Watch the first two drives: Pay attention to Purdy’s velocity. If that shoulder stinger is still lingering, you’ll see it in the intermediate out-routes.
- Monitor the offensive line: With some new elevations and the noise level, watch for "false start" penalties early on.
- Keep an eye on the backup: Brandon Allen is the QB2 tonight. If Purdy takes a hard hit, the season rests on Allen's shoulders.
The 49ers have reached the NFC Championship every time they've made the playoffs under Shanahan. To keep that streak alive, Purdy has to outplay a Seahawks defense that has had two weeks to prepare specifically for him. It’s going to be tense.