Brock Purdy was thought to be having a rest day at 49ers training camp on Thursday.

That did not materialize.

The 49ers' likely starting quarterback, who last week returned to the practice field following offseason elbow surgery, had been following a plan of two days on and two days off in an effort to manage his workload during camp.

But, following a day off for the entire team on Wednesday, Purdy was back on the field, marking his third successive practice and indicating a switch to a more intense plan for the final pick of last year's draft.

San Francisco will obviously still be careful to ensure Purdy gets enough rest as he looks to shake off the rust following his months of rehab after his operation in March.

But all the indications have been that the 49ers are very pleased with how Purdy's arm has looked to this point.

Purdy being out on the field for Thursday's practice is another signal he is progressing extremely well. He has hit all the markers the 49ers asked him to and now looks to be stepping things up. 

At this point, it would take a remarkable turn of events for Purdy not to be San Francisco's starting quarterback in the Niners' season opener against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

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