Breaking Down The San Francisco 49ers’ Quarterback Situation After Jimmy Garoppolo Injury

There are conflicting stories about how lengthy San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might want to get better after struggling a damaged foot of their win over the Miami Dolphins final week.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that Garoppolo didn’t want surgical procedure and will return in time for the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs after a seven to eight-week restoration.

Nevertheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan described Garoppolo as having a “method outdoors likelihood” of being again within the fold for the playoffs.

And NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday forward of the 49ers’ Week 14 sport with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that Garoppolo is taking a look at a three-month rehabilitation interval with a return for the playoffs not thought-about reasonable.

No matter which report is correct, a Garoppolo playoff return appears to be a protracted shot, however what does the present state of affairs imply for the Niners, Garoppolo and the rookie who was so spectacular changing him in opposition to the Dolphins, Brock Purdy, within the quick future and going ahead?

49ers able to experience with Purdy

The potential for a postseason Garoppolo return would clearly give the 49ers a potential various if they don’t seem to be assured with Purdy approaching the playoffs.

However, with Shanahan taking part in down the probabilities of Garoppolo coming again and Rapoport’s report echoing that pessimism, San Francisco will unquestionably assault the remainder of the yr as if Purdy would be the undisputed starter the remainder of the way in which whatever the well being of some other quarterback on the roster.

And they’ll accomplish that with utmost confidence Purdy can succeed.

Fred Warner, talking on The Wealthy Eisen Present this week, mentioned he believes the 49ers can win the Tremendous Bowl with Purdy underneath heart.

“In my thoughts, I at all times say, ‘By no means say by no means,’” Warner mentioned. “It is such an unlikely story to have Mr. Irrelevant are available, lead the Niners to a Tremendous Bowl. I feel that is what everyone’s going to jot down us off on, and that is high quality. If that is what everybody needs the narrative to be, I am utterly high quality with that. I am so utterly laser-focused, identical to I do know the group is, on taking this factor one week at a time.”

Ought to the 49ers knock off Brady and the Bucs this week, San Francisco’s religion of their capacity to take care of Purdy will solely develop stronger.

Garoppolo doubtless set for exit door

Even when the extra optimistic timeline proves appropriate, the Garoppolo period in San Francisco might be carried out.

It’s unlikely he will probably be prepared in time for the playoffs and, if the 49ers are acting at a stage that has allowed them to succeed in the postseason in snug trend with Purdy on the helm, it’s troublesome to see them wanting to exchange the rookie with a quarterback coming off an harm in a do-or-die sport even when Garoppolo does defy the chances.

And, in a situation the place Purdy performs properly, the 49ers would have little motivation to re-sign Garoppolo, a free agent within the offseason, given they might have Lance and Purdy on team-friendly rookie offers.

A shorter restoration interval means Garoppolo received’t be rehabbing in the course of the offseason and theoretically will increase the probabilities of the 49ers making a push for his providers ought to they battle down the stretch and within the postseason, significantly after a yr during which Garoppolo performed a few of his finest soccer. Nevertheless, inviting a quarterback controversy between Lance and Garoppolo following a season during which the latter suffered one more harm could be optically troublesome for San Francisco.

Sadly, the snap that noticed Garoppolo break his foot was doubtless his final for the Niners, however an abbreviated restoration ought to ensure that he receives loads of curiosity on the open market.

Purdy has big alternative

For Purdy, the mission doesn’t change, he’s tasked with doing his finest Garoppolo impression and piloting the 49er offense to the postseason.

That’s one thing he did extraordinarily properly when taking the reins in aid of Garoppolo in opposition to the Dolphins, Purdy exhibiting poise, accuracy and decisiveness in throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns, together with a fourth-down interception in a powerful efficiency.

Shanahan mentioned of Purdy on KNBR on Thursday (h/t 49ers Webzone): “He hung in there, took some huge hits, made some big-time throws, wasn’t scared to tug the set off, ran round, made a few off-schedule performs, and I used to be actually impressed with him. When it was all mentioned and carried out on offense, I feel he was most likely the participant of the sport.”

For the 49ers to remain afloat within the race for the Tremendous Bowl, they might want Purdy to be the participant of the sport a pair extra instances.

The onus might properly be taken off him given the power of the help system he has each when it comes to offensive weapons and the standard of the 49er protection. In that sense, the expectations for what Purdy could also be requested to do are fairly low. But, with Garoppolo and Lance on the shelf for most likely the rest of the marketing campaign, he has the possibility to vary opinions.

Ought to he exceed expectations in making certain the Niners get to the postseason and are nonetheless a Tremendous Bowl group, the offseason dialog about whose group it ought to be from a quarterback perspective could also be a bit of extra fascinating than some anticipate.