49ers fear worst after Garoppolo hurts left ACL

The 49ers are bracing themselves for the worst, thinking quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the rest of the season after he injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in Sunday’s 38-27 loss to Kansas City.

Garoppolo will have an MRI to confirm the severity of the injury, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said: “We fear an ACL. We’ll find out more (Monday).”

That would mean C.J. Beathard is in line to start at quarterback.

Garoppolo was 20 of 30 for 251 yards with two touchdowns and no picks against the Chiefs, and he was at his best in trying to rally the 49ers late. But after driving for a potential score in the fourth quarter, Garoppolo was flushed from the pocket and headed for the sideline.

He appeared to take an awkward step and his knee buckled, just as Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson delivered a shoulder-to-shoulder blow. Garoppolo wound up leaving on a cart.

Another quarterback was injured when the Titans’ Blaine Gabbert was knocked out of the game at Jacksonville in the first quarter with a concussion.

He was replaced by Marcus Mariota, who sat out last week’s victory against Houston because of an elbow injury sustained in the season opener. He was still experiencing arm weakness along with numbness and tingling in two fingers this week, saying the injury affects the velocity and spin he gets on the football.

Mariota directed three scoring drives in relief of Gabbert.

Other notable injuries:

Defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson was carted off in the second quarter against Washington with an ankle injury, and right tackle Bryan Bulaga left with a back injury.

Wide receiver A.J. Green suffered a groin injury at Carolina, while nose tackle Ryan Glasgow was carted off in the fourth quarter.

Packers: Bengals: