San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s season to date has largely been derailed by a toe injury.
He sustained the injury in Week 1, returned in Week 4 but has missed the last three games after dealing with a setback in his recovery.
Real details about a possible timeline for return to action for Purdy, who returned to practice in a limited capacity Oct. 15 and remained limited at Wednesday’s practice, have been scarce.
In a radio interview Thursday with local station KNBR, 49ers GM John Lynch made it clear that Purdy is getting closer to a return.
“What I can tell everyone is that we’re being (incredibly diligent),” Lynch said. “We’ve gotten so many opinions on this thing, and it’s been pretty consistent. He’s doing a really good job. We’re taking the appropriate measures, and what I can tell you is he gets better each week, each day. I do think we’re getting closer to him returning.”
Still, no firm timetable has been established for Purdy’s return.
“A hard timeline (is difficult to set) because it’s kind of a feel thing,” Lynch added. “And how he feels, that’s still out there and TBD, but we’re getting closer, we do know that. I think this week, in particular, last week, I think we made some progress. And so, that has Brock encouraged. It has everyone encouraged.
“We’re trusting Brock, we’re trusting the doctors. We’ll make a good decision on it, and that’s why it’s taken some time.”
Lynch also provided an update on receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who hasn’t played this season after tearing his ACL and MCL last October. Like with Purdy, Lynch is optimistic about his potential to return as he is just past the one-year mark from when he sustained the injuries.
“Oh, yeah, there’s hope he plays,” Lynch said of Aiyuk. “There’s, more importantly than hope, there’s some evidence. He’s making really good progress. He’s been putting in the time, and I think that it’s coming nearer as to when he’s going to be out there.”
San Francisco has kept winning in spite of being without Purdy, Aiyuk and a host of other important players on both sides of the ball.
The 49ers (5-2) are in a three-way tie atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams heading into Sunday’s road game with the Houston Texans (2-4).
