Brock Purdy’s miraculous journey through the NFL has been halted by an elbow injury. San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch is now talking about the timetable for a return for the quarterback.

Quarterback Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers is not far away from being able to throw balls again, according to general manager John Lynch.

“I got a report from the trainers,” Lynch told radio station “KNBR,” adding that Purdy could “go out and start throwing a football twelve weeks” after surgery. According to the surgeon, you can get a little better idea of where he stands at that point.”

The surgery took place March 10, so a return to throwing practice in early June seems possible. “That’s kind of an indicator of where he stands. Then, of course, you have to work on his strength and endurance, increase reps and distance, all those things. But it’s going to be well thought out, and he’s on a good path,” Lynch added.

Purdy tore a lateral ligament in his right elbow in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles in late January and had surgery a few weeks later. The 23-year-old had previously written a true NFL fairy tale.

“Mr. Irrelevant” Purdy wowed

After both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were injured during the 49ers’ season, he took over as the starter in early December. He went undefeated in his five games as starting quarterback in the regular season, and then led his team to the Championship Game in the playoffs.

Purdy’s performance was so impressive because he had been the 262nd and thus the last pick in the 2022 draft. This earned him the designation of “Mr. Irrelevant.”

Despite the positive performance, it’s still unclear whether Purdy will be fit by the start of the season in early September. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had recently talked about the playmaker could be out until week four of the regular season.

Purdy is in competition with Lance and rookie Sam Darnold for the number one quarterback role with the 49ers. Garoppolo had left the team for the Las Vegas Raiders.