Insider offers encouraging update on 49ers' Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers continue to receive positive news regarding the recovery of quarterback Brock Purdy. 

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero (h/t Nick Shook) reported Monday that Purdy traveled to Jacksonville to throw with quarterback coach Will Hewlett and orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely during the 49ers' summer break. The 2022 rookie sensation continues rehabbing following the surgery he had on March 10 to address the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow he suffered during the NFC Championship Game in late January. 

Pelissero added that Purdy is on track to be ready for the 2023 season. That update comes after ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on "The Pat McAfee Show" last Wednesday that the 49ers were "optimistic" Purdy will be able to start the Week 1 game at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10 but couldn't say, for sure, he'll be cleared in time to face Pittsburgh. 

Purdy went a perfect 5-0 across his regular-season starts as a rookie and guided the 49ers to the conference title contest after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo went down with campaign-ending setbacks. In total, the 23-year-old completed 114-of-170 passes (67.1%) for 1,374 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions across those starts and his nine regular-season appearances. 

49ers general manager John Lynch repeatedly named Purdy his "leader in the clubhouse" this offseason to start over Lance and free-agency pickup Sam Darnold. Schefter told "The Pat McAfee Show" that he thinks Darnold "has the edge going into camp" over Lance in a competition to determine who will serve as Purdy's primary backup once the final pick of the 2022 draft can resume practicing. More recently, 49ers tight end George Kittle praised Lance's performances during springtime workouts even though the 2021 first-round draft pick appears to be third on the depth chart among desired options. 

The 49ers reportedly could pursue Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins next winter assuming Cousins hits free agency when his contract expires after the 2023 season. Purdy may find himself playing to cement himself as San Francisco's long-term starter later this fall, but he first must reach a point where team doctors are fine with him taking punishing shots from opposing pass-rushers during meaningful games.