GAROPPOLO HAS SURGERY FOR TORN ACL

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo underwent reconstructive surgery on his injured left knee Wednesday.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo had the operation to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Shanahan said he didn’t know whether any additional damage needed to be repaired or know whether Garoppolo would be recovered in time for the offseason program next spring.

Garoppolo injured his knee Sept. 23 at Kansas City when he tried to plant and cut up field instead of running out of bounds late in a loss to the Chiefs. Ga roppolo is in the first season of a fiveyear, $137.5 million contract.

His injury dealt a serious blow to the 49ers (13), who are now going with C.J. Beathard at quarterback.

Freeman to return for Falcons.

FLOWERY BRANCH,

The Falcons expect to have running back Devonta Freeman return for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh after missing three games with a sore right knee.

Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman, the team’s leading rusher each of the last three years, would have full clearance “without any setbacks.”

Raiders’ Penn goes on IR.

The Raiders placed right tackle Donald Penn on injured reserve with a groin injury. A threetime Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Penn was injured in the third quarter of Sunday’s 4542 overtime win against the Browns. Penn limped off the field, returned briefly for a handful of plays then went to the sideline for good.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the team is hopeful of getting Penn back later this season.

Rams sign kicker Santos.

kicker Cairo Santos this week instead of rushing allpro Greg Zuerlein back from injury.

Zuerlein isn’t ready to return from a groin injury, but the Rams weren’t happy with Sam Ficken after he missed two of his three field goal attempts, including a 28yarder against Minnesota last week.