San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan said that only God knows when quarterback Brock Purdy will be cleared to return to football. However, he provided an optimistic update on Purdy’s return during Tuesday’s organized team activities, stating that the team is hoping for a Week 1 return and feels good about it. Shanahan added that the team is working towards the goal and has no reason to think otherwise. Purdy had a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow repaired on March 10 after suffering the injury in the NFC Championship Game on January 29. The initial estimate for his recovery timeline was five to seven months, but the team maintained that they would have a better idea once Purdy begins a throwing program at the 12-week mark.
Expected to begin throwing program next week
Purdy is set to hit 12 weeks on June 2 and is progressing as expected. Shanahan said that the quarterback is expected to begin the throwing program next week. Although Purdy does not want to put any hard deadlines on his return, he echoed Shanahan’s optimism, stating that his arm is feeling good. Once Purdy begins the throwing program, he will be able to work his way towards throwing a full-size NFL football again from various distances and at different effort levels. Purdy plans to continue his rehab and throwing program in Jacksonville, Florida, with his personal quarterback coaches after the Niners complete their offseason program in mid-June.
Focusing on recovery
Despite an offseason vote of confidence from general manager John Lynch, calling Purdy the “leader in the clubhouse” to be the team’s starter in 2023, the quarterback is not getting ahead of himself as he continues to recover. Purdy is focusing on getting his arm healthy, and he does not want to get caught up in rumors or what people are saying. Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has also been working his way back from a broken right ankle. With Purdy’s ascent to the starting job, Lance’s name came up in trade conversations Lynch had with other teams in the offseason.
Competition in the quarterback room
The Niners opened OTAs this week with Lance getting the first snaps during 7-on-7 drills with Sam Darnold coming in behind him. But as Shanahan was quick to point out, those drills are different from team drills, and he intends for those reps to even out as the offseason program progresses. Until Purdy is cleared, the Niners’ quarterback situation remains uncertain. However, there is plenty of time for Lance and Darnold to make an impression in the coming days, weeks, and months. Darnold said that competition is great for everyone and that they have some competition in the quarterback room.
The San Francisco 49ers are optimistic that quarterback Brock Purdy will be fully cleared to return to football for Week 1. Purdy is expected to begin his throwing program next week, and he plans to continue his rehab and throwing program in Jacksonville, Florida, with his personal quarterback coaches. Despite an offseason vote of confidence from general manager John Lynch, Purdy is not getting ahead of himself as he continues to recover. The Niners’ quarterback situation remains uncertain until Purdy is cleared, but there is plenty of time for Trey Lance and Sam Darnold to make an impression in the coming days, weeks, and months.
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