49ers' Brock Purdy 'right on track' in elbow surgery recovery

Dec 02, 2023

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Brock Purdy is on the path to being Mr. Relevant once again.

The 49ers quarterback is trending toward being ready for training camp after undergoing surgery for the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow suffered in March's NFC Championship.

"He's right on pace. I think he throws three times a week," San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday. "He's continuing right on the track he's already been on — no setbacks. It's been very good so far."

Shanahan mentioned that he isn't monitoring Purdy's every throw, nor is he asking questions about his QB's arm as the team moves slowly and cautiously with him.

Despite being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft — thereby earning the "Mr. Irrelevant" moniker — Purdy has been anything but.

He stepped up after the 49ers lost both starting quarterback Trey Lance and backup Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries, keeping the team from missing a beat.

Purdy threw for 1,374 yards which included 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions and was 5-0 in his games as a starter in the regular season.

During the postseason, he managed three touchdowns and led the 49ers to the NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles, though he left in the first quarter after injuring his elbow on San Francisco's first offensive drive.

Even back to full health, Purdy will have plenty of work to do to get back on the field.

Offseason addition Sam Darnold — the former Jets flameout — is reportedly making a case for playing time and Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was the rising starter heading into 2022 before breaking his ankle in Week 2.

With Purdy still on recovery road, the 49ers could find themselves with a quarterback conundrum on what is expected to be a legit challenger in the NFC.