49ers rookie Kurtis Rourke explains why recent roster move is so important

The San Francisco 49ers opened rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke's practice window on Monday, giving the team 21 days to evaluate the young signal-caller as he works to prove he is healthy after undergoing surgery in January to repair a torn ACL, an injury he played through in 2024.

While the move allows Rourke to return to the field, it doesn't guarantee he'll be part of the 49ers' late-season plans or a potential playoff run. Instead, this period may serve as a valuable opportunity for the rookie to get live work with teammates after months of classroom sessions and mental reps.

"It's been over a year, pretty much, since I last played and was able to practice fully," Rourke told reporters on Monday. "And so, it's just awesome to be out there, and be able to be with the guys, and get on that schedule, and then be able to translate what I've been learning so much in the classroom to on the field."

Rourke believes these practices will give him meaningful momentum heading into the offseason as he looks to take a bigger step forward in 2026.

"That's why I was excited to get the practice window opened this season, because any type of practice, any type of work, will prepare me for next year," Rourke said. "And that's ultimately the goal, is to help the team in whatever way possible, and being available is the best thing."

Rourke played for Indiana in 2024, completing 69.4% of his passes for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The quarterback said the decision to undergo an MRI on his knee didn't come until after the season.

"There was some weird feelings [in my knee], and it just didn't feel completely right," Rourke explained. "And we were able to get the news that it was torn fully, but I was just glad to get through the season."

The 49ers selected Rourke as the first of their three seventh-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

"I loved his size, love how he throws, loved how he plays the position, especially watching him [in 2024]," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Rourke after the 49ers drafted him in April. "I don't think it was a coincidence how good of a year they had with the type of quarterback they had. And to know he did it the whole year with a—he had a broken finger, a torn ACL, and still, was really, really impressive."