PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Surgery Suggested, but Montana Balks

Quarterback Joe Montana has been told by the San Francisco 49ers’ team doctors that he should undergo elbow surgery, but the three-time Super Bowl most valuable player is reportedly still seeking other medical opinions.

Surgery would end Montana’s 1991 season and threaten his career with the 49ers, who have won four Super Bowls with Montana as their quarterback.

Sources close to the 49ers and Montana, 35, said Tuesday that team doctors have recommended surgery to repair a torn right elbow tendon. But Montana is consulting other specialists, one source said.

“If another doctor says he doesn’t need surgery, he might decide to go with that opinion,” the source close to Montana said. “Otherwise, it seems surgery is likely.”

Team officials have viewed surgery as a foregone conclusion since Saturday, when Montana experienced pain in his elbow during a workout, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The physicians consulted by the 49ers and the team’s physician, Michael Dillingham, all recommended surgery.

The surgery is described as having an 80% success rate.