49ers QB Brock Purdy’s recovery could extend into November if surgeon alters plan

Don’t panic. Brock Purdy’s recovery from his February 22 surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow is still expected to be about six months. That is plan A, the most likely scenario.

There is a chance that the surgeon, Keith Meister, could audible to a plan B, if necessary, once the operation has started. That will be Meister’s call.

“Everyone’s saying it would be the best for just my career moving forward to get the surgery and get the repair with an internal brace,” Purdy explained last week. “Still, there could be some question as to getting a hybrid surgery, which is reconstruction with the internal brace.”

If the surgeon opts for plan B, it will add recovery time for Purdy. During an interview on NFL Network’s Super Bowl Live on Friday, the quarterback revealed how much time.

“There’s this backup plan of having a hybrid surgery, which means a little bit of the graft, and then an internal brace, which can be anywhere from seven to nine months,” Purdy explained.

Instead of a late August return, which is the timeline for plan A, the backup plan might extend Purdy’s recovery anywhere from September to deep into November.

Still, the hope is that won’t be necessary, everything will go well, and Purdy will return in about six months, making him ready for the regular season.

Purdy suffered his injury during the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 23-year-old quarterback took over as the starter after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo suffered injuries. Neither returned this season.