The San Francisco 49ers have officially opened the practice window for rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the first of the team's three seventh-round picks. Rourke has been on the non-football injury (NFI) list after undergoing ACL surgery in January.
The 49ers now have 21 days to evaluate Rourke and determine whether to activate him. If they choose not to, he will remain on the NFI list for the rest of the season.
Rourke played for Indiana in 2024, completing 69.4% of his passes for 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. Alongside starter Brock Purdy, the 49ers currently have Mac Jones and Adrian Martinez on the depth chart, with Martinez serving on the practice squad.
In October, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that Rourke was nearing his evaluation period. The team will use this window to determine whether the rookie quarterback is ready to return.
"So, we'll see how his three weeks go and if it makes sense on our roster," Shanahan said. "If he can do it, then we'll do that, and if not, we'll shut him down."
San Francisco is coming off its bye week and is holding a bonus practice on Monday. The team will return to its standard pre-game practice schedule on Wednesday as preparations begin for hosting the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.
The 49ers enter the matchup at 9-4, sitting third in the NFC West and sixth in the NFC playoff standings as they push toward the postseason.
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