Rourke's Injury Clouds QB Bid
Rourke's Rib Injury in 49ers Preseason Opener Raises Questions for QB Competition
Key Points
Rourke developed a strong connection with wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who caught seven passes for 63 yards on eight targets from him in the game.
Rourke’s college injury history includes a right-knee ACL tear in 2022 that required surgery, plus a 2020 left-shoulder injury and a 2024 right-thumb surgery.
Rourke has CFL ties: he was drafted 25th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and his older brother Nathan is the starting quarterback for the BC Lions.
He exited the game after being tackled by two defenders on a 3-yard scramble midway through the second quarter, heading to the medical tent with a rib injury.
ESPN (via CBS Sports reporting) noted that Rourke is questionable to return, which could impact his competition for the 49ers’ No. 3 quarterback spot.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke left the team's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans with a rib injury — and coach Kyle Shanahan later revealed he was taken to the hospital with broken ribs, according to Yahoo Sports. The injury cut short a promising debut in which Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards and added 14 rushing yards on three carries.
The 25-year-old seventh-round pick was making his first game appearance in 601 days, according to Sacramento Bee. He was hurt on a 3-yard scramble midway through the second quarter when two defenders tackled him. He headed straight to the medical tent and did not return.
Broken Ribs Derail Rourke's Long-Awaited Return
Rourke went down after a short scramble in the second quarter. Two Titans defenders brought him down, and he immediately went to the medical tent. Shanahan confirmed after the game that Rourke went to the hospital, according to Yahoo Sports. The severity of broken ribs raises real questions about how quickly he can return to action.
Adrian Martinez finished the game at quarterback after Rourke exited. Fresno Bee reported that Rourke's next opportunity to play could come against the Los Angeles Chargers, though that now depends on how fast he heals. He was labeled questionable to return during the game itself.
Rourke Flashed Real Talent Before Leaving the Field
Before the injury, Rourke looked sharp. He completed 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 101 yards — a completion rate of nearly 86%. His best connection was with wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who hauled in seven catches for 63 yards on eight targets, according to Modesto Bee.
Rourke also showed mobility. He picked up 14 yards on three carries before the scramble that ended his night. The performance was enough to show he belongs in the No. 3 quarterback competition — but now that fight is on hold while he recovers.
A Body That Has Already Been Through a Lot
Rourke's medical history is long for a 25-year-old. He tore the ACL in his right knee in 2022 and needed surgery. He also hurt his left shoulder in 2020 and had right-thumb surgery in 2024, according to Fresno Bee. The 601-day gap between game appearances reflects just how much time he has lost to injuries.
Those past injuries make this latest setback harder to brush off. Broken ribs are painful and slow to heal. Every week he misses is a week another quarterback could lock up the No. 3 roster spot on the 49ers' depth chart.
From the CFL Draft to an NFL Long Shot
Rourke is an Ontario native with deep CFL roots. He was drafted 25th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL draft. His older brother Nathan Rourke is the starting quarterback for the BC Lions, according to Modesto Bee. The family football pedigree is strong — but Kurtis is still fighting to prove he belongs in the NFL.
San Francisco selected him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Seventh-round picks rarely make final rosters, which makes every preseason snap critical. With broken ribs now slowing him down, Rourke faces an uphill climb to stick with the 49ers when the regular season begins.
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