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Orthopedic surgeon thinks Brock Purdy could miss entire 2023 season

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Orthopedic surgeon thinks 49ers' Brock Purdy could miss entire 2023 season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/1/23

One specialist is pessimistic about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy taking a meaningful snap during the 2023 NFL season.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Adickes explained during a Wednesday appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" that the torn ulnar collateral ligament in Purdy's right elbow could cost him an entire campaign.

Video: Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Adickes sharing his professional opinion on the Brock Purdy injury on the Dan Patrick show.

As mentioned on the original tweet, the injury diagnosis is according to Adickes. This wasn't a report from a source. pic.twitter.com/gMlFGJ0LZs
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 1, 2023

It's been reported that 49ers team doctors recommended that Purdy undergo surgery sooner rather than later, but the 23-year-old said on Tuesday he hadn't yet made a final decision about how to treat the injury. According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Purdy still hadn't agreed to go under the knife as of late Wednesday morning:

#49ers QB Brock Purdy has not made a decision on whether he'll undergo a repair or reconstruction (Tommy John) for the elbow injury he suffered in the NFC Championship Game.

Purdy told reporters he's awaiting second opinions and will weigh all his options before deciding.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 1, 2023

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Purdy hinted he feared he could miss at least some of next season due to the setback even though previous reports suggested he'd be sidelined only for six months.

"I'll be ready come [training] camp, and honestly, what matters to me most is being able to play for the season," Purdy said at that time about a potential upcoming operation putting him out of action for six months, as shared by David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "If that's the case, then so be it. But we'll see. I still have some options to weigh, and I'll make a final decision soon."

Purdy's future with the 49ers and in the league, in general, is very much up in the air this winter regardless of how much time he misses. The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft became a rookie sensation after he replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo on Dec. 4, won five straight regular-season starts, and then guided the 49ers to playoff victories over the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. With Garoppolo set to hit free agency and 2022 Week 1 starter Trey Lance still recovering from a broken right ankle, Purdy began last weekend a favorite to enter the summer as San Francisco's QB1.

According to Bonilla, Lance revealed on Tuesday he is "about three, three-and-a-half weeks out from being totally cleared" from the ankle issue. Tom Brady (allegedly) is no longer an option for the 49ers or any franchise, meaning Lance is on track to begin the second straight March atop the club's depth chart at the sport's most important position unless his employer makes a move for an available big name such as Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers.

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