San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered some good news on Wednesday night while speaking at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event. He expects his second-year quarterback, Brock Purdy, back in time for training camp.
Kyle Shanahan says that barring setbacks, the 49ers expect Brock Purdy back by training camp. Purdy has already been making throwing motions with a towel — not yet with a ball (that's expected in June)
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 11, 2023
That wording might indicate that the 49ers expect Purdy to be ready for the start (or close to it) of training camp, which kicks off at the end of July. While that has always been the hope and a best-case scenario, most didn't expect the quarterback to be fully cleared until sometime in late August or early July, given the six-month recovery typically associated with the surgery he underwent.
Shanahan appears more optimistic than most.
In late March, the coach admitted that the 49ers were hopeful Purdy would be ready for Week 1. However, based on what he was hearing at the time, the worst-case scenario had the quarterback out until Week 4.
Purdy suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow in the NFC Championship Game, undergoing surgery to repair the injury on March 10. The quarterback is expected to begin throwing again in June, ramping up his efforts to a point where he could practice.
"As long as Brock's elbow heals right, he'll be the exact same guy, and when you have a clean break like that or a tear, it will be," Shanahan said, per Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. "You can have a setback and something can go wrong, but everything's been entirely on pace.
"Just watching him now, he's doing the same drills all the other quarterbacks are doing, he's just using a towel to throw. But he's still doing violent motions, he's still moving it. He's just not doing it with a football."
Until Purdy returns, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold will take offseason reps during practices. One of the two could start Week 1 if Purdy isn't ready to go.
"When Brock comes back and is healthy, we'll see where we're at," Shanahan said, per Inman. "We know we have a quarterback out there who's won at a high level."
Trey Lance update
Speaking of Lance, according to Shanahan, the quarterback is in a much better place than last offseason. The coach admitted that the former No. 3 overall pick was still hampered during last year's offseason by the finger injury he suffered during the preseason of his rookie campaign.
"He said Lance is in 'such a better place' as far as his delivery/motion than he was a year ago," wrote Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
Kyle Shanahan said the finger injury Trey Lance suffered in August 2021 carried over into last year's offseason. He said Lance is in "such a better place" as far as his delivery/motion than he was a year ago.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) May 11, 2023
Lance entered last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2 and was replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo, who was replaced by Purdy in Week 13 after suffering a broken foot.
Lance is healthy now and fully cleared to practice. The 49ers begin organized team activities (OTAs) on May 22.
49ers-Eagles rematch
The NFL confirmed a report that the NFC Championship Game rematch between the 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field would take place during Week 13. Shanahan admits to liking the idea of facing the defending NFC Champions later in the season.
"I am glad we're not playing Philly Week 1," Shanahan said. "I want to play them at a better time. I want to make sure our whole team is right there."
The 49ers entered last season's NFC Championship Game riding a 12-game win streak. Then-rookie Purdy guided the team to eight of those victories. Unfortunately, that ended when the young quarterback suffered his injury. In addition, his backup, Josh Johnson, exited the game with a concussion.
Lacking a quarterback capable of throwing the football, San Francisco relied entirely on its rushing attack, falling 31-7 to the Eagles.
"We felt like we didn't get to do it last time, and I'm ready to go back again," the coach said.
Shanahan is hoping for better luck this time around. While the team anticipates Purdy being on the field, one person who won't be there is the coach's wife, Mandy. She had enough of the Philly fanbase from last season's experience.
"My wife's bitter about it a little bit," Shanahan said. "She didn't like her fan experience in the stands. So she's not going this time."