David Chao, MD
2 min read • February 08, 2023
Posted in
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is reportedly scheduled to undergo surgery on Feb. 22 to fix the torn UCL in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship loss.
Purdy's recovery timeline will reportedly have him ready for training camp, but that is far from a guarantee, according to the Pro Football Docs.
The last pick of the 2022 draft will likely undergo a repair, rather than a reconstruction – otherwise known as Tommy John surgery.
While a repair carries a lesser recovery time, he will not be 100% by the start of training camp – which typically begins at the end of July.
The best case scenario would have him ready to make all regular throws by the end of August, roughly six months after surgery.
If all goes well, he would likely be ready for limited training camp participation. However, that may complicate a potential quarterback battle with 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance.
Lance is recovering from his own season-ending injury, an ankle fracture/dislocation he suffered in Week 2.
Although Lance has more time to recover, he is unlikely to be 100% mobile by Week 1.
The uncertainty of both recoveries could force San Francisco to bring in a third option at quarterback, with Jimmy Garoppolo set to depart as a free agent.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was ready for Week 1 following his ankle fracture/dislocation in Week 5, 2020, but had his worst statistical rushing season in 2021.
He averaged 9.1 rushing yards per game in 2021 – a career low – compared to 17.3 rushing yards per game in 2019 – his last fully healthy season.
Former 49ers passer Nick Mullens suffered a similar UCL injury in Week 15, 2020. He required a repair and was able to begin throwing about three months after surgery. Mullens signed with the Eagles about five months after surgery and has appeared in five games while carrying various backup roles since January 2021.
Former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2007 following an injury in Week 3, 2007. Delhomme said his arm was “better than ever” six months after the surgery and he started all 16 games in 2008, leading Carolina to a 12-4 record in the regular season.
Ben Roethlisberger, the retired Steelers quarterback, also returned from throwing elbow surgery. He was injured in mid-September 2019 and returned for the start of the 2020 season. Roethlisberger told reporters his surgery was similar to Tommy John surgery, but he also tore three flexor tendons off the bone that had to be repaired.
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Written by David Chao, MD
