Purdy on track to start Week 15

49ers QB Brock Purdy (oblique, ribs) is expected to suit up tonight vs. Seattle, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Purdy practiced this week, so the news isn’t surprising. He remains a QB2 in a matchup that should turn up plenty of rushing.

Niners GM John Lynch on Monday called a healthy QB Brock Purdy "the leader in the clubhouse" for the team's starting job, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. That stops short of anointing Purdy the starter once his repaired throwing arm is ready. But it's certainly not good for Trey Lance, just two years after the franchise traded quite a bit to move up and draft him third overall. Lynch said Purdy, Lance, and Sam Darnold will compete for the job. And perhaps 49ers leadership is trying to motivate Lance, ahead of his third NFL season. Even if that's the case, though, it wouldn't be a great sign if they think the 23-year-old (this May) needs such motivation. Lance remains a high-ceiling best ball pick in case he does win the job. And we'll see about Purdy's health this summer. But there's also high risk to rostering Lance in formats where you can't replace him once the season starts. Of course, Darnold arriving to Week 1 as the starter would be bad news for everyone.

49ers QB Brock Purdy's elbow surgery was originally scheduled for February 22 but has been delayed due to swelling in the joint. “Some of the delay and the swelling and all that — it’s not like a typical baseball injury,” GM John Lynch said Tuesday at the Combine. “This was a football injury where there was a lot of force there. So, it just all had to quiet down.” Purdy is now expected to go under the knife "early next week," according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. The 49ers are still hoping to have Purdy back on the field 6 months after surgery, but Lynch admitted that there are “a variety of time frames.” Either way, this delay makes it unlikely that Purdy is available for training camp -- and more likely that QB Trey Lance opens the 2023 season as San Francisco's starter.

49ers QB Brock Purdy is expected to undergo surgery to repair his torn UCL on February 22, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Purdy is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp, per Rapoport. Still, this is a serious procedure that will cost Purdy the entire offseason program. It's a considerable speed bump after an impressive 8-game run as a rookie. Purdy and QB Trey Lance are expected to duke it out for the starting job this summer, barring a significant addition to the QB room.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that 49ers QB Brock Purdy suffered a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right arm in the aftermath of the NFC Championship. Purdy will reportedly seek 2nd opinions as to whether or not he can avoid reconstructive surgery, more popularly known as Tommy John surgery. Should the rookie end up under the knife for reconstruction, he would stand to miss a considerable amount of time. A repair surgery would reportedly enable Purdy to be ready for activity in time for training camp. Dynasty managers can only hold their breath as we await further updates and the potential ramifications of a prolonged absence.

Update: Both NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter hear that Purdy is expected to be sidelined for about 6 months. That'd have him back for training camp but cost him the entire offseason program.

49ers QB Brock Purdy completed 4 attempts for a mere 23 yards in Sunday's NFC Championship loss vs. the Eagles. The rookie left the game early in the 1st quarter with an elbow injury and was replaced by QB Josh Johnson. Johnson was later forced to exit the contest due to a concussion, ultimately leading to Purdy re-entering the game. HC Kyle Shanahan shared after the game that Purdy "wouldn’t have gone back in if we hadn’t had to" make that decision. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported later Sunday evening that Purdy injured his ulnar collateral ligament and will undergo an MRI on Monday. If his UCL isn't ruptured, it's expected to be a 6-week recovery. Anything more severe would require surgery and put dynasty managers who recently made aggressive pushes to acquire the QB in a tough spot. We should know more tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates.