49ers QB Brock Purdy tore UCL in elbow, expected to miss six months

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and is expected to undergo surgery and faces a six-month timetable for recovery this off-season.

Sources told NFL Network, ESPN and The Athletic about Purdy's injury status Monday night. Those reports also stated that the rookie quarterback will seek additional medical opinions.

Purdy sustained the elbow injury on the 49ers' first drive of the NFC Championship game Sunday in Philadelphia. He returned in the second half after backup Josh Johnson sustained a concussion, but was extremely limited.

Purdy completed 4 of 4 passes for 23 yards in the 31-7 conference title game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft completed 68.5% of his throws for 1,098 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in five starts during the regular season.

He went 5-0 as a starter after taking over for injured starter Jimmy Garoppolo.

Purdy threw for 332 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in the 49ers' win over the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs. He completed 65.5% of his throws for 214 yards and did not find the end zone in the 49ers' divisional-round victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Purdy is expected to be ready in time for training camp, but his injury could complicate the 49ers' outlook heading into the 2023-24 campaign. Garoppolo signed a one-year deal last off-season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, sustained a season-ending ankle injury early on in 2022, but is expected to be healthy in 2023-24. Lance started the 49ers' first two games and is under contract for the next two seasons. He also has a team, fifth-year option in 2025-26.