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San Francisco 49ers QB Rushed To Hospital Following Frightening Injury During Preseason Game

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Ambulance at 49ers game on the field.
Ambulance at 49ers game. (Not related to Kurtis Rourke injury.)(Photo via Imagm Images)

San Francisco 49ers QB Kurtis Rourke is on the road to recovery following a frightening event on Thursday night.

The San Francisco 49ers lost their 2026 preseason opener 19-13 to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. With primary starters resting, backup quarterbacks and rookies carried the load as head coach Kyle Shanahan returned to the sidelines following his accident.

During the contest, Rourke completed 12-of-14 passes for 101 yards before exiting the contest. He had suffered a scary injury.

Preseason Nightmare: 49ers QB Kurtis Rourke Taken to Hospital After Frightening Injury

Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (14) throws a pass to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De’zhaun Stribling (15) during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers faced a terrifying situation during their preseason opening game on Thursday night. Emerging quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffered a significant injury that forced medical staff to immediately transport him to a local hospital.

The frightening incident occurred during game action, leaving the young quarterback in visible distress on the field. Specifically, the team’s medical personnel rushed to his aid when it became clear that he was in severe pain. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, he suffered a rib injury and immediately began struggling to breathe.

Because of these breathing difficulties, the medical staff chose to exercise extreme caution with their quarterback.

Rourke Rushed To The Hospital

Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Austen Pleasants (62) blocks Tennessee Titans defensive end Malik Herring (93) from rushing San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (14) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Kurtis Rourke was rushed to the hospital for tests after struggling to breathe from a rib injury in the 49ers’ preseason opener.

Initial X-rays taken at the stadium failed to confirm any fracture, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“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,” Shanahan explained afterward.

Furthermore, the coach noted that the medical staff remained relatively unconcerned while still prioritizing complete clarity through extra scans.

Before his sudden departure, Kurtis Rourke put together a highly impressive performance on the field. He showcased sharp accuracy by completing 12 of his 14 passing attempts for 101 yards. Coach Shanahan praised the young passer’s performance, noting that he consistently delivered the ball to the right spot.

Following the injury, backup quarterback Adrian Martinez took over the offense. Martinez finished the night by completing 16 of 30 passes for 159 yards under center.

The San Francisco 49ers’ next preseason game is against the Los Angeles Chargers next Thursday. It is unknown if Rourke will be available for that contest.

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