Shanahan on Mullens’ strong start: 49ers are ‘Jimmy’s team’

Kyle Shanahan squashed any chatter about a 49ers quarterback controversy. Jimmy Garoppolo’s starting job, already threatened earlier this year by Tom Brady’s free agency, is in no imminent danger of a Nick Mullens takeover.

“That scenario doesn’t exist. But I don’t think past one game, either,” Shanahan said. “This is Jimmy’s team. He’s done a hell of a job for us, and when he’s healthy, he’ll be playing again for us.”

That might not be the next game, Sunday night, when the 49ers (2-1) host the Eagles (0-2-1). Garoppolo has not practiced since a right-ankle sprain that sidelined him after a gutsy first half sparked a Sept. 20 win over the New York Jets. Mullens, in his first start since 2018, passed for 343 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday’s 39-6 rout of the Giants, while Garoppolo watched in sweats on the sideline, along with tight end George Kittle and several other injured starters.

Shanahan said that for Garoppolo to return, he must prove in at least one live practice he can move well and protect himself from further injury. “We’ve just got to see if he’s healthy, but that won’t be able to happen if he’s not in practice,” Shanahan said. “San Francisco is blessed with probably two starters, quite frankly,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said in a call with Bay Area media. “(Mullens) is a smart kid, puts the time in. You can see that in the way he plays. He doesn’t make mistakes. It’s rare you see a poor decision or bad throw on tape.”