49ers QB Brock Purdy takes another step forward in recovery from elbow surgery

Brock Purdy is taking another step forward in his recovery process.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is traveling to Jacksonville, Florida, to train and throw with QB coach Will Hewlett and orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Purdy remains on track to play in 2023 following right elbow surgery, the person said.

NFL Network was the first to report the update on Purdy.

Purdy injured his elbow in the first quarter of San Francisco’s NFC championship game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 29. He underwent elbow surgery on March 10. The 49ers have provided incremental updates on Purdy since his procedure.

The quarterback began throwing in late May.

“We're hoping for Week 1 and I feel pretty optimistic about that. That's what we're hoping for, that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 and usually that doesn't mean that's the day he comes back,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said in May. “Usually, you have to come before that to make that goal and that's kind of the goal we're hoping for and I don't have any reason to think differently.”

Quarterbacks Trey Lance and Sam Darnold have taken first-team reps for the 49ers this offseason. The 49ers have indicated that Purdy is the front-runner to start when he’s healthy.

Purdy won his first seven starts as a rookie (including playoffs) before losing to the Eagles in the conference title game. He tallied 1,374 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in five career regular season games. He produced 569 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first three playoff games.

The 49ers drafted Purdy with the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brock Purdy, 49ers QB, takes step forward toward being ready for 2023