Kittle, Garoppolo out multiple weeks
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — George Kittle’s season could be over and Jimmy Garoppolo’s is on indefinite hold.
While it’s no surprise Garoppolo requires more rest after aggravating a high ankle sprain to his right leg, Kittle’s foot injury in Sunday’s 37-27 loss to Seattle is worse than initially feared, a league source confirmed.
Kittle will miss eight weeks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, because of a fracture that was not revealed in an initial X-ray at CenturyLink Field.
Kittle limped off the field after making a 25-yard reception in the fourth quarter on a pass from Garoppolo’s replacement, Nick Mullens, with the 49ers down 30-7.
At the same time, Garoppolo was heading to the locker room, his troublesome right ankle having been aggravated on the third sack he endured against the Seahawks.
Ravaged by injuries to multiple other starters this season, the 49ers (4-4) host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) on Thursday night, a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game.
Kittle, last season’s firstteam All-Pro tight end, got rewarded before this season with a record contract for the position (five years, $75 million). He is the 49ers’ leading receiver (37 catches, 474 yards, 2 touchdowns) and their overall catalyst with his enthusiasm and blocking prowess.
Even though the 49ers won back-to-back games in New York while Kittle sat out with a knee injury, the roster has been further descimated by injuries elsewhere and has little resemblance to last season’s Super Bowl outfit.
Jordan Reed could be coming off a Week 3 knee injury just in time to replace Kittle, but it might be a long shot that comeback takes place Thursday night. Reed resumed practicing last week. The 49ers’ only practice this week will be a half-speed session Tuesday.
Other tight ends on the roster are Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner. Veteran Daniel Helm is on the practice squad.
As for replacing Garoppolo, Mullens slots into the starting role, and he gained momentum plus confidence in Sunday’s relief role. Mullens led touchdown drives on all three of his series.
That helped Mullens get the bad taste out of his mouth from his last start, a three-turnover disaster that got him benched during an Oct. 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. C.J. Beathard replaced Mullens that game and Garoppolo in the next week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Garoppolo, who turned 29 on Monday, initially hurt his ankle in a Week 2 win at the Jets. He left at halftime, sat out the next two games, and returned Oct. 4 against Miami before getting benched as two interceptions underscored how limited he was on that right leg.
Shanahan adjusted his game plans and Garoppolo thrived with a short-passing game in wins over the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. He was 43-of56 passing for 545 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in those wins.
Then came Sunday’s sloppiness in Seattle. Against the Seahawks’ blitz-heavy defense, Garoppolo passed for just 84 yards (11 of 16) and doomed things with a redzone interception in the first quarter.