Full Breakdown
49ers Release QB Adrian Martinez, Keep Kurtis Rourke on 53-Man Roster
8/30/2026, 3:45:59 AM
Core Event
On August 29, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers cut fourth-string quarterback Adrian Martinez, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and a source confirmed to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. The move leaves the team with starting quarterback Brock Purdy, backup Mac Jones and third-stringer Kurtis Rourke.
Background & Context
The NFL requires each club to trim its preseason roster from 90 players to 53 by the Sunday deadline at 3:00 p.m. PT. Martinez, 26, had two separate stints with San Francisco in 2025, spending most of that season on the practice squad before re-signing to a reserve/futures contract in January 2026. He did not appear in a regular-season game for the 49ers.
Data & Statistics
- Adrian Martinez (2026 preseason): 36 completions on 68 attempts (52.9% completion), 346 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 8 rushes for 35 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.
- Kurtis Rourke (2026 preseason): 12 completions on 14 attempts for 101 yards; 3 rushes for 14 yards. He suffered three broken ribs in the preseason opener, missed the next two games, and returned to practice before the roster cut.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Rourke’s rib injury as three broken ribs and noted the quarterback’s return to practice. Team officials indicated confidence in retaining Purdy, Jones and Rourke as the top three quarterbacks, suggesting Rourke’s performance despite the injury earned him the third-string spot.
Why It Matters
By releasing Martinez, the 49ers solidify a quarterback depth chart that relies on a veteran starter (Purdy), a former first-round pick (Jones) and a promising seventh-round rookie (Rourke). Retaining Rourke, a Canadian quarterback drafted in 2025, reflects the organization’s continued investment in his development after missing his rookie season with a torn ACL and a subsequent preseason injury. The decision also frees a roster spot for other positional needs as the team approaches the regular season.
