Garoppolo likely to miss game against Giants
Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t practice Wednesday or likely later this week because of a highankle sprain, strengthening Nick Mullens’ bid to start as the 49ers’ quarterback Sunday against the New York Giants.
“I know our players believe in him and he’ll be fine,” coach Kyle Shanahan said of Mullens in a video conference from The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, where the 49ers are sequestered this week.
Mullens’ first meaningful action since his 2018 came in the second half of Sunday’s 31-13 win over the Jets, after Garoppolo was kept out at halftime. Staked to a 21-3 lead, Mullens preserved the win by modestly completing 8-of-11 pass for 71 yards with an interception and two fumbles.
It didn’t exactly inspire memories of “Mullens Mania,” when he went 3-5 to close the 2018 season in relief of Garoppolo (Week 3 knee injury) and C.J. Beathard (05). Mullens’ debut in 2018: a threetouchdown, 262-yard dandy to defeat the Raiders 34-3 on “Thursday Night Football.”
Mullens’ second start: A 27-23 lose against the Giants, but not before he produced a fourth-quarter comeback for the lead that Eli Manning soon recaptured.
Tight end George Kittle missed last game with a knee sprain and returned to practice Wednesday in a limited ca
pacity, and MetLife Stadium’s turf is not depicted as a great welcome-back spot. The 49ers are still without wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot) for at least another week, and they will likely play Sunday without their top two running backs, Raheem Mostert (knee) and Tevin Coleman (knee; likely out four weeks).
Factor in the absence of injured defensive starters — Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Dee Ford and Richard Sherman — and Mullens will need to muster his 2018 magic.
The 49ers’ typically roll out their starting quarterback for Wednesday media sessions. Neither Mullens nor Garoppolo spoke this time.
Giants coach Joe Judge, in Wednesday’s media session, praised Mullens’ anticipation, quick release and ability to spread the field. “And he’s a tough, gritty dude,” Judge added. “Whether it’s Jimmy or Mullens, to be honest, you have to have a plan for both.”
Left tackle Trent Williams admiress Mullens’ serious approach to preparing every week as if he’s starting.
MCKINNON READY FOR MORE » Jerick McKinnon will get a bigger workload and presumably start while Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman recover from knee sprains, Coleman’s being worse and likely requiring a four-week stay on injured reserve, Shanahan said. KITTLE, FORD UPDATES » Kittle is to practice in limited fashion for the first time since his knee sprain in the season opener.
Defensive end Dee Ford is “taking medicine” for a mysterious back issue that Shanahan would not elaborate on other than note how serious they can become. Ford is out indefinitely.
Cornerback Jason Verrett practiced for the first time since a hamstring strain three weeks ago. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps contusion) was limited.
As for the Giants, wide receiver Sterling Shepard (toe) joined Saquon Barkley (knee) on injured reserve, and the only player limited in practice was former 49ers safety Adrian Colbert (quadriceps). Running back Devonta Freeman was signed, four years after he and Coleman were a one-two punch in Shanahan’s scheme with the Atlanta Falcons.