Although Josh Johnson‘s exit forced Brock Purdy back into the NFC championship game, San Francisco’s starter was taking part in via a big elbow damage. More readability is rising on Purdy’s elbow illness, although a definitive return timetable stays elusive.
Purdy suffered a torn UCL, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reviews (on Twitter). The rookie sensation suffered an entire tear, per Pelissero, however as of now, the hope is he can keep away from Tommy John surgical procedure. Should Purdy handle to keep away from the widespread baseball process — one that may knock pitchers out of motion for nicely past a 12 months — he may very well be again in time for 49ers coaching camp, Pelissero provides (through Twitter). Indeed, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes the present plan is for Purdy to be sidelined for round six months (Twitter link).
A restore process would permit for this shortened absence, however a reconstructive operation — the Tommy John route — would shelve Purdy for the foreseeable future and throw his profession off axis. The Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate is looking for further opinions, Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets. If Purdy avoids reconstructive surgical procedure, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets he needs to be able to throw in round three months.
The 49ers managed to advance to the NFC title sport regardless of shedding their high two quarterbacks, however they’ll go into the offseason with none of them wholesome. Trey Lance suffered a fractured fibula and ligament injury that has required two ankle surgical procedures; the second occurred not too way back. Jimmy Garoppolo underwent a December surgical procedure to restore a damaged foot, and though the veteran starter was seen as a candidate to return earlier than the 49ers’ season ended, he was unavailable for Sunday’s sport. That created a catastrophe state of affairs for San Francisco, which was pressured to show to Johnson — a Denver follow squad arm for many of this season — earlier than needing Purdy once more after Johnson left the sport.
This will mark the second straight offseason wherein the 49ers will see an damage cloud their quarterback outlook. Garoppolo’s March 2022 shoulder surgical procedure hijacked his commerce market and led him again to the Bay Area as Lance insurance coverage, which turned wanted in Week 2. Lance’s efficiency and damage standing makes his 49ers standing moderately murky, however Purdy lacking the offseason program will open the door to the previous No. 3 total choose having a greater likelihood to reclaim his beginning job. Going into the NFC title sport, Purdy was on monitor to be favored to keep the gig after his gorgeous run of performances that guided the 49ers thus far. Now, the 49ers may go into their offseason program with out both of their potential 2023 choices wholesome. Garoppolo is ready free of charge company in March.
Purdy, who’s below contract via 2025, went down on the 49ers’ first drive; the damage successfully assured the Eagles of their fourth Super Bowl berth and the 49ers of a second straight season being turned again within the championship spherical. San Francisco has been loosely linked to Tom Brady, and hours earlier than Garoppolo went down together with his newest vital damage, the crew was linked to desirous to discuss another contract. It will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the 49ers discover including a veteran starter. The crew will possible must make a transfer of some kind at quarterback, given Purdy and Lance’s unsure timetables.
