49ers quarterback hospitalized after struggling to breathe in first game in nearly 2 years

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Kurtis Rourke’sreturn to the gridiron could not have been much better — until it took a frightening turn late.

TheSan Francisco 49ers’third-string quarterback got the start for the team’s first preseason game on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, and the former Ohio and Indiana quarterback did not disappoint.

Rourke, a seventh-round pick in Titans quarterback Cam Ward’s draft in March 2025, looked much sharper in his professional debut after missing all of last season recovering from knee surgery, making Thursday his first game since Dec.20, 2024.

Kurtis Rourke rolls out looking to pass against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium.

Kurtis Rourke, No.14 of the San Francisco 49ers, rolls out looking to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first half at Levi’s Stadium on Aug.13, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.(Thearon W.Henderson/Getty Images)

He went 12-for-14 for 101 yards with three rushes for 14 yards on three drives, and his final possession ended in a 1-yard TD run by Patrick Taylor Jr.

However, Rourke left the game after that drive with a rib injury.X-rays were negative, but Rourke had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital.

“They said ribs.He was struggling to breathe, so they took him to the hospital just to check on him and make sure he’s alright.X-rays in here didn’t show it was broken,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

Shanahan, though, did not seem too concerned that it would be a long-term issue.

Kurtis Rourke runs the ball during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium.

Kurtis Rourke, No.14 of the San Francisco 49ers, runs the ball during a preseason NFL game against the Tennessee Titans on Aug.13, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.(Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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“They just wanted to get more imaging and find out, so they weren’t too concerned.I don’t want to downplay it but I don’t want to overplay it either,” he said.

Rourke had played his entire final college season with a torn ACL, forcing him to undergo surgery before the draft.He completed a career-high 69.4% of his passes for the Hoosiers, who won the national championship the following season withFernando Mendozaat the helm.

His 29 touchdowns were also the most of his career, and he only threw five interceptions.

Kurtis Rourke scrambles with the ball near the one-yard line against the Tennessee Titans.

Kurtis Rourke, No.14 of the San Francisco 49ers, scrambles with the ball to the one-yard line against the Tennessee Titans in the first half at Levi’s Stadium on Aug.13, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.(Thearon W.Henderson/Getty Images)

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Rourke remained on the roster last year withBrock Purdyand Mac Jones ahead of him.With the coaching he has and the quarterback room he is in, it is no wonder why Rourke impressed in his unofficial NFL debut.

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