Finally, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not have elbow surgery Wednesday as planned. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports that Purdy made a pre-operative visit to Arlington with Dr. Keith Meister had and the Texas Rangers team doctor recommended the surgery be postponed due to ongoing inflammation.
Purdy will meet with Master again in early March.
The quarterback will need surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and the delay appears to be shifting the timetable for Purdy’s return.
The 49ers are confident the injury will only require repair and not “hybrid surgery” that also requires reconstruction. The plan calls for internal support that includes screws and sutures to stabilize the ligament, but Meister will determine during surgery if a graft is necessary.
The option to repair the internal brace would keep Purdy about six months away, allowing him to start pitching in three months with a slow, three-month build-up. The more intense surgery would sideline him into the season.
Purdy only played as a rookie because of Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo’s injuries. Lance is close to returning and he and Purdy are expected to fight for the starting job, although Lance will have a head start as Purdy is sidelined.
Purdy finished his rookie regular season with 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in seven games. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 569 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in three playoff games.
Garoppolo will become a free agent next month, and the 49ers are expected to find a low-cost No. 3 quarterback in free agency. If Purdy’s operation turns out to be more complicated than expected, the 49ers will likely seek a high-end veteran to pair with Lance until Purdy returns.
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