49ers QB Brock Purdy reportedly out at least 6 months after tearing UCL

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a complete UCL tear in his pitching elbow during Sunday’s NFC Championship Game and will likely require surgery. the NFL Network reported Monday.

Purdy is seeking a second opinion on the elbow while he and the team hope he can undergo repair surgery, rather than a full elbow reconstruction via Tommy John surgery, according to the NFL Network.

The 49ers are recommending surgery, and if it’s just repair surgery, Purdy will miss six months, but should be back in time for the start of training camp. according to ESPN.

Purdy suffered the injury on the first play of the 49ers’ 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday when defensive end Haason Reddick hit him on the arm as he was about to attempt a pass. Reddick’s hit knocked the ball loose just before Purdy officially threw the pass, creating a fumble that was recovered by the Eagles.

Purdy was initially sidelined but returned in the second half when backup quarterback Josh Johnson entered concussion protocol. He threw just one pass over three drives on his return, which was a screen pass to tight end George Kittle.

The seventh-round pick became a sensation when he replaced Jimmy Garoppolo, who suffered a foot injury in Week 13. Purdy helped the 49ers win that Week 13 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, and winning their first six NFL starts before falling to the Eagles on Sunday. Purdy threw for 1,877 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions during the final eight-game stretch.

Purdy’s late-season emergence looked like it might throw a wrench into the 49ers’ future plans at quarterback. San Francisco made 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance their starting quarterback for the 2022 season after sitting him for much of his rookie season. However, Lance suffered a fractured fibula and ankle ligament damage in Week 2, forcing him to undergo season-ending surgery. He had a second surgery in early January to remove the hardware.

Garoppolo, who started at quarterback for the 49ers for much of the previous four seasons, renegotiated his contract to remain in San Francisco as Lance’s backup before the start of the regular season. He regained his spot as the team’s starter when Lance went down with an ankle injury. The 49ers again played well with Garoppolo at quarterback, going 7-3 in his 10 starts while throwing for 2,437 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 103 passer rating.

Garoppolo was expected to miss seven to eight weeks with the foot injury he suffered in Week 13, as the 49ers left the door open for him to prepare for the Super Bowl if they make it there. Unfortunately, the 49ers lost, and Garoppolo’s future with the team remains in question again, as he is set to become a free agent this offseason.

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