Garoppolo ready to start
Jimmy Garoppolo will return as the starting quarterback for the 49ers after missing the last two games with a sprained ankle.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo will start Sunday at home against the Dolphins. Shanahan wanted to see how Garoppolo made it through a full week of practice before making his decision.
“Each day he got better,” Shanahan said Friday. “Never felt too sore the next day. So, we needed to hear that today and see him out there today and we feel good to go.”
Garoppolo had hoped not to miss any time with the injury, having played through ankle sprains before. But this was a more severe high ankle sprain, which made it impossible for him to move well enough to avoid danger in the pocket.
He was able to show he was healthy in practice and will provide a needed spark for the 49ers (2-2), who lost 25-20 at home last week to the Eagles.
The team has a 20-6 record when Garoppolo starts, compared to a 5-21 markwith any other quarterback since Shanahan arrived in 2017.
Jones sits out another practice
Wide receiver Julio Jones was held out of practice for the third consecutive day with a hamstring injury but has not been ruled out for the Falcons’ game Sunday against the
Panthers. He’s listed as questionable. The injury forced Jones to sit out the second half of Monday night’s loss at Green Bay. Jones missed the Falcons’ loss to the Bears on Sept. 27 with the injury.
cowboys lose 2nd starting tackle
Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith will have season-ending neck surgery, another blow to a Cowboys offensive line that will be without both starting tackles for the rest of the year. Smith injured his neck in practice the week after the opener and missed two games before returning last week. The Cowboys have been without right tackle La’el Collins all season because of a hip issue.
Chargers put RB Ekeler on IR
The Chargers put running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) on injured reserve, making him the seventh starter to go on IR. Ekeler was injured during Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. He led the AFC with 378 scrimmage yards after the first three games.
Jets duck COVID Scare, will play Sunday
All Jets players and coaches tested negative forCOVID-19, and Sunday’s game against the Cardinals will be played on time. The Jets had posted a statement on social media hours after their facility was closed because of a presumptive positive test for a player.