Full Breakdown
Kurtis Rourke Hospitalized After Rib Injury in 49ers Preseason Opener
8/15/2026, 12:24:47 AM
Game-Day Incident
- On August 14, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers opened preseason play against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Third-string quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards and added three rushes for 14 yards before leaving in the second quarter with a rib injury and shortness of breath. Adrian Martinez entered and finished the game for San Francisco.
Background & Context
- Rourke was a seventh-round (227th overall) pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Indiana. He spent his rookie season on the non-football injury list while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in his final college season. The August 2026 preseason appearance was his first NFL action in 601 days.
Depth-Chart Implications
- The 49ers deliberately sat starters Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones, leaving Rourke and Martinez as the only quarterbacks on the roster for the contest. After Rourke’s exit, Martinez completed 16 of 30 passes for 159 yards, posting a 68.6 passer rating.
- Coach Kyle Shanahan said tight end Brayden Willis was prepared to take handoff snaps if both quarterbacks were unavailable, highlighting the team’s contingency planning.
Official Statements & Responses
- Shanahan explained that initial imaging “didn’t show a break,” but the team sent Rourke to the hospital because he was “struggling to breathe.”
- Regarding roster moves, Shanahan noted that the injury does not require the 49ers to add another quarterback, as the current roster already lists Purdy, Jones, Rourke, and Martinez.
Data & Statistics
- Passing: 12/14, 101 yards, 85.7 % completion.
- Rushing: 3 carries, 14 yards.
- Martinez’s replacement stats: 16/30, 159 yards, 68.6 passer rating.
- Final score: Titans 19, 49ers 13.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was struggling to breathe, so they took him to the hospital just to check on everything, make sure it's all right,” — Kyle Shanahan, head coach
- “He looked good. Got the ball to the right spot, played well,” — Kyle Shanahan, head coach
- “When you don't see something on an X-ray, and someone's struggling with something, then you just got to go cover your bases and look for more,” — Kyle Shanahan, head coach
- “They said ribs, he was struggling to breathe,” — Kyle Shanahan, head coach
- “We were talking about who are in the game who could take a handoff and hand it off or take a snap and hand it off. So, Brayden Willis was going to go in. We were doing hand-off drills with him at halftime, so he was ready for it if we had to,” — Kyle Shanahan, head coach
What’s Next
- The 49ers confirmed Rourke was discharged from the hospital later that night and will undergo further evaluation. No specific timeline for his return has been announced.
