Purdy has torn elbow ligament
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy tore a ligament in his throwing elbow, putting his status for the start of next season in question.
A person familiar with the injury confirmed the diagnosis of the injury Purdy suffered in the 49ers’ 31-7 loss to the host Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game Sunday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because the team had not released details on the injury.
The NFL Network first reported that Purdy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm and said he will seek a second opinion on whether he needs a repair or a reconstruction.
A repair of the elbow typically would lead to Purdy being sidelined for six months, which would mean he could return close to the start of training camp. A reconstruction likely would sideline Purdy into next season.
The latest quarterback injury for San Francisco throws another wrench into the team’s plans at the position. The 49ers’ Week 1 starter this season, Trey Lance,
went down with a seasonending ankle injury in Week 2 that required followup surgery last month.
Jimmy Garoppolo replaced Lance but broke his foot in Week 13 and is eligible to be a free agent in March.
Purdy took over and won his first seven starts as a rookie before getting hurt on the first drive Sunday.
“My arm felt like it stretched out,” Purdy said after the game. “It felt like a lot of shocks all over from my elbow down to my wrist . ... Just pain all over.”
Purdy reentered the game in the second half after backup Josh Johnson left because of a concussion. Purdy mostly could only hand off the ball.
‘Misery’ for Bengals
Joe Burrow and Cincinnati didn’t have another fantastic finish left in them.
The Bengals had won 10 in a row going into the AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team they had beaten three times in the last 13 months, including in the AFC title game last year.
But too many mistakes doomed the Bengals in Sunday night’s 23-20 loss at Kansas City.
“In football, it’s either winning or misery,” center Ted Karras said. “We’re on the misery end tonight.”
Cincinnati’s patchwork offensive line had trouble protecting Burrow, who was sacked five times. The defense couldn’t do enough to contain Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Most of Cincinnati’s key players will be back next season. The Bengals already have begun restructuring their finances so they can offer Burrow a rich, multiyear contract extension to keep him in Cincinnati.