49ers rookie quarterback hospitalized after rib issue in preseason debut
San Francisco 49ers third-string quarterback Kurtis Rourke was taken to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties following a rib injury in his first preseason game.
Kurtis Rourke made his first professional appearance in the 49ers' preseason contest versus the Tennessee Titans, delivering a 12-for-14 passing performance and adding a short rushing touchdown. The third-string quarterback, who missed the previous season after knee surgery, exited the game after the final drive due to a rib injury and difficulty breathing. Although imaging ruled out a broken rib, he was transported to a hospital for additional checks.
Coach Kyle Shanahan noted that the medical staff wanted more scans but did not view the situation as a long-term concern. Rourke, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft, had previously played his college senior year with a torn ACL and posted a career-high completion rate at Indiana. His promising showing came despite the abrupt medical episode.
Why it matters
The incident highlights health risks for players returning from injury and could affect the 49ers' quarterback depth this season.
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