There have been conflicting reports regarding Brock Purdy's return timeline as he continues to recover from a lingering toe injury. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback initially suffered the injury in Week 1, briefly returned in Week 4, but experienced a setback that has kept him sidelined since.
On Thursday morning, 49ers general manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR, where he shared an encouraging update on Purdy's recovery.
"What I can tell everyone is that we're being [incredibly diligent]," Lynch said. "We've gotten so many opinions on this thing, and it's been pretty consistent. He's doing a really good job. We're taking the appropriate measures, and what I can tell you is he gets better each week, each day. I do think we're getting closer to him returning."
Lynch explained that setting a firm return date remains challenging because much depends on how Purdy feels during the recovery process.
"A hard timeline [is difficult to set] because it's kind of a feel thing," Lynch added. "And how he feels, that's still out there, and TBD, but we're getting closer, we do know that. I think this week, in particular, last week, I think we made some progress. And so, that has Brock encouraged. It has everyone encouraged."
When asked about the benchmarks the 49ers are looking for before clearing Purdy to return, Lynch emphasized that the team is trusting its quarterback to know when he's ready.
"Namely, it's like, 'Hey, do you feel like yourself?'" Lynch said. "There's doctors, and sometimes doctors have to hold the player back. And so, there's those benchmarks and things, the type of testing that you can get past that. But I think the athlete knows their body extremely well.
"And I think Brock knows he plays a certain way, and you can't change the way you play to make it easier to play, and he's not going to. He's only going to play one way, so he's got to be right to play that way, both from a medical standpoint and all that.
"So, we're trusting Brock, we're trusting the doctors. We'll make a good decision on it, and that's why it's taken some time."
Will Brandon Aiyuk return this season?
As the NFL season progresses, some fans are beginning to wonder whether wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will play in 2025. Aiyuk has been rehabbing from ACL and MCL injuries suffered in October 2024, and while his return timeline remains uncertain, the 49ers remain optimistic.
"Oh, yeah, there's hope he plays," Lynch said. "There's, more importantly than hope, there's some evidence. He's making really good progress. He's been putting in the time, and I think that it's coming nearer as to when he's going to be out there."
While there's still no official date for either player's return, Lynch's comments suggest both Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk are trending in the right direction as the 49ers prepare for the second half of the season.