Stephen A. Smith isn’t buying the 49ers as NFC contenders -- at least not when it comes to making a deep playoff run with the version of San Francisco on the field right now.

On Tuesday’s episode of ESPN’s "First Take," Smith argued that the 49ers’ injury issues, roster changes and uneven quarterback play make them unlikely to survive a crowded NFC race.

"There are too many good teams in the NFC to think that this version of the San Francisco 49ers could come out of the NFC," Smith said.

San Francisco improved to 8-4 with a 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday, a result that allowed them to remain the NFC's No. 7 seed but didn’t quiet Smith’s concerns.

A major part of his skepticism centers on Brock Purdy , who is navigating his first full stretch as a starter this season

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