The word "if" has often been thrown around while discussing the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback situation. The team's top decision-makers have repeatedly stated that Brock Purdy would be the "leader in the clubhouse" to be the Week 1 starter ... IF he were healthy.
That has always been the big question mark on the Purdy situation. The second-year quarterback underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm. The procedure was estimated to carry a six-month recovery time with it.
Six months would be early September.
However, in recent weeks, there has been growing optimism that Purdy could be cleared some time in late August, increasing his chances of being ready for the start of the regular season.
IF Purdy is healthy by then, most believe the 49ers won't hesitate to send the quarterback back on the field and see what last season's biggest surprise rookie does for an encore performance.
"It does sound like he's doing well," NFL insider Ian Rapoport said Friday on the Pat McAfee Show. "[He's been throwing] a couple of times a week, and based on what he did last year, him coming in, if he's healthy ... if he is fully cleared, good to go, no restrictions by, I think, now it'd probably be late August, that would be really good.
"Does he play in a preseason game or not? I don't know. I don't know if anybody cares about that anymore, honestly. I think he is the starter going in if he is healthy, which is a very good thing."
"It sounds like Brock Purdy is doing well and if he's fully healthy he'll be the starter week one"@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FCk0ENpkFs
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 9, 2023
It wasn't that long ago that Rapoport declared that Sam Darnold would "more likely than not" be the 49ers' Week 1 starter. Darnold is competing with Trey Lance for the QB2 job. Recent developments have Rapoport pivoting to Purdy being the starter.
The 49ers have been happy with Purdy's progress, indicating that the quarterback is on track in his recovery.
"He's right on pace," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It's part of his process of getting back, and he's continuing right on the track he's always been on. No setbacks, and it's been very good so far."