The San Francisco 49ers offseason program is in full swing. One of the things people are keeping a close eye on is the quarterback situation. Right now, all of the first-team reps have been going to Trey Lance, who looks to be in line to start should Brock Purdy not be able to get back on the field once the season gets underway.
Purdy suffered an elbow injury during the 49ers’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. He has been working on his own during OTAs, which has naturally led to people asking about his progress.
49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have much of an update to provide on his status this week during a press conference. However, he did provide some encouraging words, as there have been zero setbacks in Purdy’s rehab.
“He’s right on pace,” Shanahan said, via NBCSportsBayArea.com. “I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It’s part of his process of getting back and he’s continuing right on the track he’s always been on — no setbacks and it’s been very good so far.” (H/T ProFootballTalk)
Naturally, what people will wonder next is when Purdy will be able to get back on the field with his teammates. At this point in time, that isn’t something that Shanahan has the answer to. In fact, he revealed that he hasn’t even asked those kinds of questions yet to the staff.
“I haven’t asked any of those [questions] yet,” Shanahan said. “We’re taking it very slowly. It’s not like you just jump out and push stuff. You’re only supposed to throw on this date, at this percentage, this many yards. And you do a certain [amount] a couple of days later. And if you stay on track, it should heal the right way. And right now, everything is right on track.
“So we don’t go any — I don’t ask three weeks ahead. You just keep trying to stay on that trajectory.”
The last thing the 49ers want to do is put Purdy on the field too early and have him be in danger of suffering a setback. For that reason, the team is going to take things slowly, but he is on the right track with the plan that is currently in place.
Every injury is different, but Shanahan and the 49ers have contingency plans in place in case Purdy is unable to get back on the field. When he is healthy, he will assume his role as the team’s starting quarterback. But, until then, it is the Lance show during practices.
