Brock Purdy’s storybook season didn’t have a happy ending, as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback sustained an elbow injury during their NFC Championship Game loss.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Purdy suffered a complete UCL tear in his right throwing elbow. However, the 49ers hope he can avoid Tommy John reconstruction surgery for a repair that’d give him a chance to return in six months for training camp.
Onlookers responded to the significant injury for Purdy, who returned to Sunday’s game after Josh Johnson left with a concussion.
“Awful news for Brock Purdy,” Niners Nation wrote on Twitter. “Can’t help but feel for him.”
“I’ve suffered a torn UCL, it was incredibly painful. Throwing a football in the NFC Championship game after a trauma tear is wild,” Matt Lively of KCEN Sports said.
“Everyone who suggested Brock Purdy ‘quit’ on his team may kindly silence themselves now,” Dr. Jessica Flynn wrote. “Pitchers and QBs have somewhat different throwing mechanics. A repair would be a quicker recovery and if [multiple] opinions agree to that being a good option for him, it would be ideal.”
“Bad news for Purdy. Makes for another interesting offseason at QB for San Francisco,” Eric Williams of FOX Sports said.
“Bad news for the 49ers, and now they’re just hoping to avoid the worst possible news,” The Athletic’s David Lombardi said. “But with a completely torn UCL, even if Tommy John surgery isn’t required, the majority or all of Brock Purdy’s offseason might be wiped out. And this is a critical offseason for him.”
The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft proved an unlikely hero when posting a 107.3 quarterback rating in place of Jimmy Garoppolo, who was replacing the injured Trey Lance. Purdy then scored four touchdowns in San Francisco’s first of two playoff victories before Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
San Francisco now faces a murky quarterback dilemma with Purdy and Lance recovering from major injuries and Garoppolo able to leave as a free agent.