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John Lynch: Brock Purdy continuing to evaluate options, 49ers still expect 6-month recovery
Feb 1, 2023 at 12:35 PM
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There was concern that San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy might require reconstruction of the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow of his throwing arm rather than a repair, lengthening his recovery from about six months to maybe a year. However, nothing has led the 49ers to believe the more extensive procedure is required.
Purdy suffered the injury during Sunday's NFC Championship Game when Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick hit his arm in the first quarter. He returned to the game in the second half after backup
Josh Johnson was ruled out with a concussion, but Purdy could not throw the football, attempting just one pass after the injury.
"Yeah, I think he's continuing to get some different opinions, talk to different people, which I think is smart," general manager John Lynch told reporters during Wednesday's end-of-season press conference. "In an instance like this, there's a lot of smart people out there. You want to make sure you're thorough. He's continuing to go through that process.
"I think the positive bit of news is that it seems to be consistent that the right approach is that one that takes about that six-month mark. Now, everybody will also say you never know until you get in there. Every surgeon will tell you that on every surgery. You always like getting in to see exactly—the MRI tells you a lot of the picture.
"So they're continuing to work through that process, but we seem encouraged by the prognosis that that's kind of where it's at."
A six-month recovery timeframe would make Purdy healthy enough for training camp, something the 23-year-old quarterback is hoping for. Purdy's goal is to be ready for the start of the season.
"If that is the case ...
I'll be ready come [training] camp, and honestly, what matters to me most is being able to play for the season," Purdy said on Tuesday.
While Purdy might not be able to practice with his teammates for six months, the ramp-up to getting ready will start considerably sooner, maybe as soon as three months from when the surgery takes place.
"That was a cool thing for me to hear about," head coach Kyle Shanahan said, "that once three months is over, they start the rehab of just building the arm back slowly, and by six months, it's built back. And that's when I start to ask questions. 'Does that mean ease him in and stuff like that, like you would think of ACLs and things like that?'
"And they said, 'No, the build-up's been from three to six. And at six months, he is the same dude and full go.' So that was the most encouraging part that I heard."
Purdy finished his rookie regular season completing 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions through the seven games in which he threw a pass, including his five starts. The rookie had a passer rating of 107.3, which led the NFL among quarterbacks with more than 21 pass attempts.
Purdy completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 569 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions through three playoff games.
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Kyle Shanahan, 49ers will have better idea of Brock Purdy recovery timeline in June
It could be six months. It could be eight months. The San Francisco 49ers don't have a clear picture right now regarding quarterback Brock Purdy's recovery timeline. They will have a better idea in June, though. That's when the second-year quarterback will begin throwing again and ramping up his workload for the remaining portion of his rehabilitation.
Purdy underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury suffered on January 29 in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"He won't be able to do anything on the field for—who knows?" head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday morning from the NFL owners'
49ers' QB1? John Lynch calls Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse"
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, speaking with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning, made it clear where Brock Purdy sits in the team's quarterback depth chart. Purdy, recovering from surgery on March 10, has earned the right to the top spot.
"I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse at that," Lynch said. "I'll let [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] make those kind of decisions, but I know, when we talk, I think Brock's probably earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up, he'd probably take that first snap."
Of course, Lynch clarified that all quarterbacks—Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold—will compete for the 49ers' starting job. However,
Photo: Recovering 49ers QB Brock Purdy spotted by fan
Brock Purdy can begin throwing again sometime in June. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is expected to be ready to hit the field—practice or in-game—sometime in September.
Purdy is recovering from surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He hasn't been seen since the surgery, with his last public appearance taking place In Arizona, during the week leading to the Super Bowl.
One fan spotted Purdy, though, getting a photo with the 49ers quarterback (h/t TheSFNiners). As expected, Purdy is wearing a massive brace on his throwing arm,
The "Leader in the Clubhouse," 49ers QB Brock Purdy
49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to the 49ers beat writers at the NFL owners' meetings yesterday. Lynch discussed Purdy's health and whether he would be the starter when ready to play. He stated, "I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse. Brock's earned that right to be that guy if we line up to take that first snap."
Not many would argue that Purdy shouldn't be the starting quarterback after his phenomenal season during his rookie year. Purdy finished the season with 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and completed 67.1 percent of his passes.
He was even more impressive in the playoffs with 569 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and completed 65.1 percent of his passes.