SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy’s recovery from surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament is on schedule, according to 49ers general manager John Lynch.
The second-year quarterback has been back at the team facility since the start of Phase 1 of the offseason program on April 17. Purdy is approximately six weeks post-surgery from a procedure that took place on March 8, 2023.
“He’s doing really well,” Lynch said during a pre-2023 NFL Draft press conference on Monday. “As I understand it, he’s definitely on schedule, hitting all of the checkpoints. We are very encouraged by his rehab.”
Purdy will continue to rehab through the offseason with the plan to begin throwing a football again 12 weeks following the procedure, or approximately May 31. Lynch has repeatedly shared that the projected benchmark was set by Dr. Keith Meister, who performed the surgery.
“Right now [Purdy] is just really focused on maxing each day,” Lynch said. “I think with rehab, having gone through it myself, there’s a physical component to it, there’s also a psychological, emotional and mental component.
“Part of that is just waking up and really being where you’re at and that’s where Brock has done a really good job.”
Lynch appeared upbeat and positive regarding his quarterback’s recovery, even joking that the Iowa State’s product’s recent appearance at a San Francisco Giants game was seen as encouraging. It seems that every move Purdy makes is being watched through a telephoto lens.
San Francisco 49ers
“Got a lot of people reaching out saying that the fives at the Giants game were really encouraging,” Lynch said with a laugh. “What’s more encouraging is what I’m hearing every day from our people, from Brock. He’s making great progress.
“We’re six weeks out, just finished six weeks and really doing a good job with it.”
Until Purdy has completely healed from the UCL tear that occurred in the NFC Championship loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Trey Lance will be under center and in control of the offense. Sam Darnold, who the team signed during free agency will also be competing for time on the field.
RELATED: Lynch updates where 49ers stand on potential Lance trade
While at the NFL Annual Meeting at the end of March, both Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan shared that Purdy is the definitive “leader of the clubhouse.” Yet the young play caller was non-committal if he would even play during the 2023 season during recent interviews.
“I think it’s more so Brock being Brock,” Lynch said. “And understanding that he’s got to take it exactly where he’s at, and it doesn’t do him, or anyone else, any good to speculate what’s to come. Brock’s just jumping in each and every day, really doing well.”