NFL analyst shares promising update on 49ers' Brock Purdy

Analyst and NFL Network personality Brian Baldinger is the latest in-the-know individual to share promising news regarding the recovery of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. 

"From everything I heard, Brock Purdy is on schedule or ahead of schedule," Baldinger explained during an appearance on the Audacy "In The Huddle" podcast, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "He's now throwing with the quarterback coach. You're not going to put him out there to throw with a coach and working on techniques, fundamentals if you can't throw. So it looks like he's going to be ready to go." 

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero confirmed Monday that Purdy traveled to Jacksonville to throw with a quarterback coach and an orthopedic specialist during the 49ers' summer break. The 23-year-old, who suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game in late January, underwent surgery on March 10. Purdy seemingly is on track to receive the necessary clearance to play in the regular-season opener at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10. 

Purdy won seven total starts (playoffs included) before his injury and completed 114-of-170 regular-season passes (67.1%) for 1,374 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. 49ers reporter Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently mentioned that head coach Kyle Shanahan hopes he has "a younger, cheaper and more mobile version of" Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in Purdy, and Baldinger praised the last pick from the 2022 NFL Draft for his rookie performances. 

"Brock Purdy was awesome," Baldinger said. "I mean, counting the playoffs, he was 16 touchdowns, four interceptions. But more importantly, guys like [tight end] George Kittle, seven touchdown catches in his limited play with Brock Purdy. Seven of his eleven came from Brock. But everybody, everybody got fed...You know, they were dynamic."

Baldinger added he expects a legitimate competition for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart between unproven 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance and free-agency signing Sam Darnold. Team insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area said during a Thursday radio appearance he believes the 49ers like Lance "now more than they ever have since they've had him," but the third-year pro nevertheless will take a backseat to a healthy Purdy this fall.