San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s availability for the 2023 regular-season opener is looking more promising.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Purdy is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from ulnar collateral ligament surgery on his right (throwing) elbow. The procedure took place March 10, and Purdy began a throwing program in late May, before the scheduled 12-week mark after surgery on June 2.
“Brock’s been great on his rehab,” Shanahan said. “He’s been as obsessed about it as you can be. That’s why he’s ahead of schedule.”
Purdy was injured during the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Shanahan had said before the NFL draft that Purdy could miss the first four weeks of the regular season.
Purdy did not throw after surgery until late May. With the team in a two-day mandatory minicamp, Shanahan was asked if the quarterback could have limited participation in training camp before he is fully cleared to play.
“I don’t watch him, to tell you the truth,” Shanahan said. “He’s right on pace. He throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It’s part of his process of getting back. He’s continuing right on the track he’s always been on. No setbacks. It’s been very good so far.”
The coach said the team was taking steps “very slowly.” Purdy was seen in the weightlifting room on Tuesday and did some conditioning on a side field.
“It’s not like you just jump out and push stuff,” Shanahan said. “You’re only supposed to throw on this date, at this percentage, this many yards. And you do a certain (amount) a couple of days later. And if you stay on track, it should heal the right way. And right now, everything is right on track.
“So we don’t go any — I don’t ask three weeks ahead. You just keep trying to stay on that trajectory.”
San Francisco opens the season on Sept. 10 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
The 49ers have options at the position with Trey Lance returning from a severe right ankle injury that required multiple surgeries, and free agent Sam Darnold joining the QB room after stops with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
–Field Level Media
