49ers QB Brock Purdy believed to have UCL injury

San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy exited Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles early in the first quarter with an elbow injury.

The injury came after a hit by Eagles Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick. 

While Purdy ended up returning late in the second half, it was only because the 49ers found themselves in an emergency situation at quarterback after backup Josh Johnson suffered a concussion. The quarterback could not throw the ball more than five or 10 yards.

Following San Francisco’s disastrous 31-7 loss to Philadelphia, it’s being reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he’s believed to have a UCL injury to his throwing elbow. 

At this point, the hope is that surgery is not needed.

Whenever you hear UCL injury and the sports world, attention immediately turns to Tommy John Surgery. 

Thankfully for the former seventh-round pick and his team, it’s not the same situation as baseball. Pitchers tend to miss a calendar year after undergoing Tommy John Surgery for a torn UCL. 

In this case, Purdy’s absence likely wouldn’t extend past six weeks.

As a rookie this past regular season, Purdy replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo under center back in December. 

He led San Francisco to seven consecutive wins before Sunday’s ugly loss to Philadelphia. 

As the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy was amon the biggest stories heading into NFL Championship Sunday.