49ers' Kyle Shanahan shares promising Brock Purdy update

The San Francisco 49ers continue to receive positive updates on quarterback Brock Purdy.

"He's right on pace," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters about Purdy's recovery following Tuesday's practice, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "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."

Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 29 but didn't have surgery until March 10. The 2022 rookie sensation resumed throwing a regulation NFL football for the first time since his procedure last week, and 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area wrote on Monday that Purdy could potentially "receive full medical clearance to play football around Aug. 21." 

San Francisco closes the preseason portion of the calendar against the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 25. The 49ers open the regular season at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10. 

"We’re taking it very slowly," Shanahan continued on Tuesday. "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." 

2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance and free-agency signing Sam Darnold are competing for the right to keep Purdy's seat warm this summer, as general manager John Lynch has repeatedly insisted the final selection of the 2022 draft is the "leader in the clubhouse" to start this fall. Understandably, Shanahan declined on Tuesday to guarantee anything about the QB1 spot on the depth chart considering Purdy isn't all that close to facing a live defense anytime soon. 

"Things will happen when he’s healthy," Shanahan added about Purdy. "We’re just waiting for him to get healthy."