San Francisco 49ers News

McKivitz, a 2020 fifth-round pick, has appeared in 28 games (five starts) over his first three NFL seasons. However, he finds himself in line for a more prominent role during Year 4 with Mike McGlinchey now in Denver. McKivitz signed a two-year extension in March, so he's under contract through 2024.

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold figure to take most of the practice reps this spring and possibly into training camp, but both Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have suggested Purdy is the favorite to top the depth chart once healthy, with Lynch using the term "leader in the clubhouse" twice now. Coming back from offseason UCL surgery, Purdy reportedly is a bit ahead of schedule and could be ready in time for Week 1 of his second NFL season.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (ankle) was playing with the team's starters during OTAs. The 49ers are planning to enter the season with Brock Purdy (elbow) as their QB1, but Lance has been reportedly taking the first-team reps in OTAs while Purdy works his way back from offseason surgery. It's great to see Lance healthy enough to play after breaking his ankle in Week 2 of the 2022 season, and it's likely the third-year quarterback will be the subject of frequent news updates throughout the summer. Lance has made just four starts for the 49ers since the team drafted him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, but it's unclear whether the team has soured on the physically gifted quarterback during that time. He could find himself starting for another franchise before the end of the season, but for the time being he's ahead of offseason addition Sam Darnold in the pecking order.

The procedure was described as "nothing major" and "a little cleanup," and there have been no reported setbacks in Greenlaw's recovery. Once he can return to the field, Greenlaw will need to adjust to new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks' scheme, and he hopes to be able to rush the quarterback more often.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) is reportedly on track to begin throwing a football in early June, The Athletic's Matt Barrows reports. Things appeared bleak shortly after Purdy suffered an elbow injury during the 49ers' devastating NFC Championship game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it seems like the breakout quarterback avoided any worst case scenarios. He is now reportedly on track to begin throwing as early as next week after undergoing surgery after the playoffs and is expected to be ready to start for Week 1. The 49ers seem intent on having Purdy lead their team come Week 1, and his shocking performance as a rookie provided a pretty good case as to why. He finished the regular season with 1,374 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, and rose to the challenge during the playoffs until his injury. Unless we hear otherwise during the summer, Purdy seems to have locked up a starting gig.

Mitchell dealt with injuries to both of his knees in addition to a late-season groin injury in 2022, so it was a positive sign to see him take part in the early stages of OTAs. The 25-year-old was still productive last season despite being limited physically, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while spelling starter Christian McCaffrey. With both backs looking healthy early in camp, San Francisco should begin the 2023 campaign with one of the top rushing duos in the league, assuming Mitchell can stay on the field.