49ers’ Kurtis Rourke Hospitalized With Rib Injury; Nate Hobbs Out Weeks

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke was taken to a hospital after leaving Thursday night’s preseason opener with a rib injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. Initial X-rays at Levi’s Stadium came back negative, but Shanahan said there is still no update on whether Rourke broke any ribs. Rourke was “struggling to breathe” as he exited, which is why the team treated the case with caution.

Rourke sent to hospital after rib injury

Shanahan said he did not want to go too deep into the injury because he had no further medical update. He characterized the hospital trip as possibly precautionary rather than a sign of a serious issue, but the fact that the team sent a quarterback to the hospital during a preseason game underscores how carefully the staff is handling its young players.

The injury is believed to have happened on a quarterback draw near the goal line late in the first half. Rourke remained in that sequence and only afterward showed signs of the rib problem. With no confirmation yet on whether the ribs are fractured, the next medical update will determine how long the quarterback room must adjust.

Halftime plan for a thin quarterback room

The timing created an immediate complication. At halftime, Adrian Martinez was the only available quarterback on the roster, so the coaching staff began teaching tight end Brayden Willis how to take a snap and hand it off in case Martinez went down, according to Shanahan. That emergency preparation is a normal preseason precaution, but it highlights how quickly the 49ers’ quarterback depth can be tested in August.

For a team evaluating its backup situation behind starter Brock Purdy, Rourke’s status is now one of the most important roster questions of camp. Rourke, a former Indiana signal-caller, joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent and is competing for a depth role. A prolonged absence would limit his chances to make the roster.

Nate Hobbs out weeks in a crowded cornerback room

Cornerback Nate Hobbs did not play in Thursday’s opener. Shanahan said Hobbs pulled his groin during the joint practice against the Tennessee Titans and will miss a few weeks. That is unwelcome news for a veteran who is trying to secure a roster spot in a deep defensive backfield.

Hobbs’ absence may also explain the starting alignment. Jakob Robinson started at nickel in the opener, a role that could have gone to Hobbs if he had been healthy. With Hobbs expected to miss multiple weeks, Robinson and other young corners will get extended preseason reps in one of the team’s most competitive position battles.

Full injury list from Thursday night

The 49ers listed five injuries coming out of the game. Jack Jones has a hand injury, Kurtis Rourke has the rib issue, Nick Martin dealt with a stinger, Marques Sigle has an oblique injury, and Nate Hobbs is sidelined with the groin strain. Martin was the only player who returned to action after being checked, which gives the team at least one positive sign from the night.

Sigle’s oblique injury is a new concern for the safety group, while Jones’ hand issue will need monitoring into next week. The 49ers did not indicate whether either player is expected to miss extended time.

What to watch next week

The next few days will reveal how seriously the team views the defensive back injuries. If the 49ers bring in multiple cornerbacks and safeties for visits next week, that will be a strong signal that they expect some of these injuries to linger. Fans should also track Rourke’s follow-up evaluation and whether Martinez takes on a heavier workload in practice as a result.

Source: Yahoo Sports — https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/49ers-injury-updates-kurtis-rourke-044414191.html