The biggest news out of training camp reporting day for the San Francisco 49ers was that the team is not placing quarterback Brock Purdy on an injury list, clearing him to practice well ahead of the perceived schedule.
"Brock's cleared and ready to go," general manager John Lynch said. "He's been cleared. He's going to be without restrictions."
RELATED Brock Purdy avoids injury list; 49ers clear QB to practice
Obviously, there will be a ramp-up period. The 49ers aren't going to throw a full workload on Purdy's shoulders (or elbow). However, when he does practice, it will be with the first-team offense.
The news was unexpected, as most figured Purdy would rejoin his teammates on the practice field sometime during the second half of August. Purdy is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
One 49ers teammate didn't even learn that his quarterback was cleared to practice until reporters told him.
"I didn't know that. Okay, interesting," linebacker Fred Warner said while laughing on Tuesday.
What are the linebacker's thoughts now that he has learned the news?
"Actually, I'm really not surprised," Warner shared. "I've seen the way that he's been working. I've been here training all summer, and I know he's been here, and I think in Jacksonville training, too. But I'm not surprised. I know the makeup of how he is since the moment he's gotten here. It only makes sense that he's ahead of schedule. ... But yeah, I'm interested to see how he looks after all his rehab."
The 49ers always remained hopeful that Purdy would be ready to start Week 1. It sounds like things are trending in that direction.
Not everyone was in the dark about the news, though.
"Yeah, that's awesome," running back Christian McCaffrey said. "I think everybody was fired up to hear that. It's a testament to him. He's put in so much work. We've kind of seen it from outside the building, but all he's done is work. And so the fact that he's ready to go is exciting for all of us."
