Patriots trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to 49ers

The New England Patriots traded QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers in exhange for a 2018 secondround draft pick.

The 49ers and Patriots began discussing the trade the morning of Oct. 30 and by evening the trade was officially agreed upon. The 49ers have also decided to release veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, a source told ESPN.

New England is on its bye week and seem to have the belief QB Tom Brady can play well into his 40s.

MILLER UNDERGOES EMERGENCY SURGERY » Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller had surgery to save his left leg after he tore an artery while dislocating his knee during Sunday’s loss at New Orleans.

The team said the “urgent” operation Sunday to repair a torn popliteal artery was successful. Miller remains at University Medical Center New Orleans, along with team medical personnel.

Coach John Fox said a vein was taken from the right leg to fix his left one. He said the pulse in Miller’s lower leg was good and that he had feeling in his foot.

“Not that he’s out of the woods by any stretch, but it’s as good as could be expected at this point,” Fox said.

Asked if Miller remains in danger of losing his leg, Fox said: “I don’t want to go down that path, I’m not a doctor, I don’t know, I’m not right there, but I think they feel good about where he is right now, as it relates to that.”

Fox also wasn’t sure if Miller tore any ligaments.

“All that stuff, they haven’t dealt with it to be quite honest with you so I really haven’t visited too much with our medical people as far as the extent of the actual knee injury,” Fox said. “Getting this addressed was far more important.”

Miller dislocated his knee when he landed in the end zone attempting to catch a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell Trubisky. The injury, which was replayed several times on the scoreboard, forced the 33-year-old tight end to be carted off and taken to the hospital.