The San Francisco 49ers were optimistic two weeks ago that Brock Purdy would be ready for Week 1, and they got good news on that front this week.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that Mr. Irrelevant of the 2022 NFL Draft is «ahead of schedule» in his rehabilitation.
Shanahan says Purdy has been «obsessed» with getting back on the field, and who can blame him?
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in an NFC divisional playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Purdy took over at quarterback after Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending injury in week 12, and the Niners’ four-game winning streak extended to the playoffs under Purdy.
The winning streak reached 12 as the Niners clinched a trip to the NFC Championship Game. But Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow early in that contest, and the Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl.
Purdy was exceptional from Week 12 onward, completing 151 of his 233 passes (64.8%) for 1,877 yards while throwing 16 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on January 29, 2023. (Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports)
Purdy said last month that his rehab is going well and that «the plan» is to start pitching next week. He said the «goal» was to be ready for Week 1 as Shanahan noted, adding that they’re taking it «one day at a time.»
«I feel good, the arm feels good,» Purdy said. «To say I’m going to be ready for this moment or this moment, we’re not trying to label any kind of timeline like that. That’s a goal for sure though. You want to be ready for the season, and if that’s «That’s the case, great. But we’re just taking it one day at a time and we don’t want to say anything we’ll regret in the future or whatever.»
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Purdy is likely the top candidate for the job given his success last season, but 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, who started Week 1 last year, will be looking to get the job back after an ankle injury from the Week 2 that ended its season.