Kurtis Rourke Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke gave fans plenty to be excited about in his NFL preseason debut, but his night ended with an injury scare.
Rourke suffered a rib injury during Thursday night’s preseason game against the Tennessee Titans and was taken to a local hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing. The good news is that the 49ers released him from the hospital later that night after further evaluation.
The team has not announced a long-term recovery timeline, but the hospital release is an encouraging early update.
Rourke Looked Impressive Before the Injury
The injury was especially frustrating because Rourke was playing well.
Making his first game appearance in 601 days, the 25-year-old quarterback completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards. He also added 14 rushing yards on three carries before leaving the game.
Rourke showed good accuracy and composure while leading the 49ers’ offense. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also praised his performance after the game, saying the quarterback played well and delivered the ball to the right spots.
For a player trying to establish himself on an NFL roster, it was a promising start.
What Happened to Kurtis Rourke?
Rourke’s injury happened during a second-quarter quarterback run near the goal line.
He took a hit from defenders during a short scramble and immediately appeared to be dealing with discomfort around his ribs. Rourke initially remained on the field and helped the 49ers complete the drive, which ended with a Patrick Taylor touchdown.
He was then evaluated in the medical tent before leaving for additional testing.
Shanahan explained that Rourke was having trouble breathing, which prompted the decision to send him to the hospital. Initial X-rays at the stadium did not show a broken rib, but the team wanted additional imaging to make sure there was nothing more serious.
Hospital Release Is Positive News
The biggest update for the 49ers came later Thursday night.
Rourke was released from the hospital after undergoing further evaluation. He was also back at the team’s facility Friday, another encouraging sign following the scary moment.
However, fans should not assume that means he will immediately return to practice. The 49ers still need to determine how the rib injury responds and whether Rourke is comfortable taking hits and throwing the football.
The team is expected to provide more information as his evaluation continues.
Why This Injury Matters for the 49ers
Rourke entered the preseason with an important opportunity.
The seventh-round pick spent his 2025 rookie season recovering from an ACL injury and had not appeared in a regular-season game for San Francisco. He is competing with Adrian Martinez for the No. 3 quarterback role behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
That makes every preseason snap valuable.
Before the injury, Rourke looked like a quarterback worth watching. His accuracy, mobility and calm approach gave the 49ers another reason to keep evaluating him closely.
For more updates, readers can follow our NFL Injury News coverage.
The Bottom Line
The latest Kurtis Rourke injury news is more encouraging than it initially appeared.
Rourke suffered a rib injury and experienced breathing problems, but his initial X-rays showed no fracture, he was released from the hospital, and he returned to the 49ers’ facility the following day.
The next important update will be his practice status and whether the injury affects his chances in the 49ers’ quarterback competition.
For now, the focus is simple: make sure Rourke is healthy and ready to continue his comeback.
FAQs: Kurtis Rourke Injury
1. What happened to Kurtis Rourke?
Kurtis Rourke suffered a rib injury during the 49ers’ preseason game and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
2. Is Kurtis Rourke still in the hospital?
No. Rourke was released from the hospital after being evaluated.
3. Will Kurtis Rourke play in the next game?
His status for the next game depends on how he responds to the injury. The 49ers are expected to provide more updates.
4. Did Kurtis Rourke break a rib?
Initial X-rays reportedly did not show a broken rib, but additional evaluation was performed because he had difficulty breathing.
5. How did Kurtis Rourke play before the injury?
Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards and added 14 rushing yards in his preseason debut.
6. Why is Kurtis Rourke important to the 49ers?
Rourke is competing for a roster spot and has an opportunity to establish himself as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
