Who is 49ers’ QB2? Only Kyle Shanahan knows, and he’s not saying

So now what?

There’s not a lot separating Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs in the battle to be the backup for 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy.

Both had their moments in a 24-24 tie with the Las Vegas Raiders Friday night at Allegiant Stadium, and to the untrained eye their competition looks to be dead heat heading in to Tuesday’s cutdown to 53 men.

Allen got 20 snaps and was 5-for-7 for 60 yards after taking over for Purdy, who thankfully seemed fine after making the questionable decision to throw his shoulder into Chris Smith II along the sideline on an interception return.

It was a play that underscored how important a quality backup quarterback can be, something the 49ers learned the hard way losing both Trey Lance and Garoppolo (and finally Purdy) in 2022.

Dobbs was 8-for-10 for 72 yards and a third-and-goal 10-yard touchdown strike to Jacob Cowing in his 21 snaps in the third and early fourth quarter. Dobbs and Cowing also connected on a 38-yard play in last week’s win over New Orleans.

“Josh takes what the defense gives ’em and on third down hit him on a slant on third-and-10, tight window there, but that was exactly where he needed to go,” Purdy told KPIX in a third-quarter interview. “Josh was on time, Jacob ran a great route and they’ve got a great connection going. It’s pretty sweet.”

Josh Dobbs Jacob Cowing on KPIX NFL+ //