Garoppolo intrigues in brief 49ers debut
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jimmy Garoppolo’s 49ers highlight reel is both ridiculously short and undeniably intriguing.
The 49ers backup quarterback entered Sunday’s game with 1:07 remaining — enough time to run three plays — after starter C.J. Beathard limped off the field with an injured left knee. The result: A scramble for four yards, an eight-yard completion on fourth down and, finally, 10-yard touchdown pass in which Garoppolo bought some extra time to throw, then threaded the needle between two Seahawks defenders to hit receiver Louis Murphy in the side of the end zone.
The score came as time expired and was San Francisco’s only touchdown in their 24-13 loss to Seattle. But it promises to dominate both the highlight reels and the conversation in Northern California and Chicago as the 49ers get ready this week to play the Bears in Garoppolo’s hometown.
Afterward Kyle Shanahan made no pronouncement about who would start against the Bears.
“Jimmy will have another week (of practice),” Shanahan said. “We’ll watch this tape tomorrow, work with him (today) and Tuesday and see what happens in practice for Wednesday.”
BROWNS: Coach Hue Jackson returned to his old stomping grounds Sunday, and his team continued to reach new lows with a 30-16 loss at Cincinnati.
Now 1-26 since the Browns hired him last year, Jackson tied John McKay for the worst start any NFL head coach has had through 27 games.
Jackson, who spent seven seasons as an assistant under Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, will set a dubious record at 1-27 if the Browns lose to the Chargers this Sunday in his hometown of Los Angeles.
COWBOYS: Darren McFadden’s time with Dallas has come to an end, but the veteran running back has no plans to walk away from the game.
McFadden and the Cowboys mutually agreed to part ways, coach Jason Garrett announced Sunday. If McFadden clears waivers, he’ll be free to sign with any team.
McFadden thanked the Cowboys organization in a post to his Twitter account, writing: “Just want to say Thank You to the @dallascowboys. I grew up a Cowboys fan and it was awesome to wear the Star on my helmet. I wish my boys good luck.”
CARDINALS: Arizona’s win over the Jaguars was a bit of redemption for Blaine Gabbert, who was 22 of 38 for 241 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He began his career with Jacksonville, but was traded to San Francisco in March 2014.
He shrugged off any personal feelings.
“I just try to go out there and put my best foot forward,” Gabbert said. “Bring a little energy, bring a little juice to this football team.”
MNF: Terrell Suggs and the Ravens try for their fourth shutout of the season tonight when they host DeAndre Hopkins and the Texans. Suggs got two more sacks as Baltimore (5-5) beat Green Bay 23-0 last weekend. Houston (4-6) is coming off a 31-21 victory over Arizona, stopping a three-game losing streak. It included a 28-yard touchdown reception for Hopkins.