Garoppolo likely to miss game
49ers’ QB didn’t practice Wednesday; RB McKinnon ready for bigger workload
Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t practice Wednesday or likely later this week because of a high-ankle 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 seques
tered this week.
Mullens’ first meaningful action since 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-of11 passes 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 loss against the Giants, but not before he produced a fourth-quarter comeback for the lead that Eli Manning soon recaptured.
“You could say when I first started, it was not a surprise to myself, but it was my first time doing it. Now, I just have a higher expectation for myself,” Mullens said Sunday. “That’s what kind of
carries me and pushes me.
“It’s my fourth year, there’s really no excuses as to why I shouldn’t perform.”
On that note, the 49ers’ injur y rate can supply plenty of excuses.
Tight end George Kittle missed last game with a knee sprain and returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, and MetLife Stadium’s turf is not depicted as a great welcomeback 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.
“Nick got a lot of playing time with us in 2018,” Shanahan said. “It prepared him for moments like this. He always does a good job in practice and (we are) excited to see him get his opportunity.”
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 admires Mullens’ serious approach to preparing every week as if he’s starting.
“There’s not a lot of joking around. You can tell he’s serious about his craft,” Williams said. “We’re ready to go with
him. We definitely can win, we will win with him.” 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.
“I’m very confident in Jet and he’s done a great job in all his reps,” Shanahan said. “He’s excited for it and we’re excited to see him.” METLIFE TURF >> While Shanahan awaits the NFL and NFL Players Association to further investigate the safety of MetLife Stadium’s synthetic turf, Judge has
defended his home turf’s viability. “I’ve had no conversations with the NFL, period, on the field. I’ll let them take care of that.”
Several 49ers players voiced concerns and Arik Armstead called it “trash” after five teammates sustained lower-leg injuries Sunday, including seasonending knee injuries to Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas.
Williams said of the turf: “I’d be lying if I said we’re not thinking about it or it’d cross your mind. But when you have a 300-pound linemen trying to put you on your back, the surface falls to the backburner. ... You do get a little nervous but I just pray before the game that I’m protected.”
MASKED MAN >> Shanahan’s response to the $100,000 fine he drew and the $250,000 penalty invoked by the NFL onto the 49ers for him not consistently wearing a protective mask on the sideline: “Obviously I can do better job during the game wearing it, and I will do a better job. ... I got the message and I will do better.” Shanahan hailed the 49ers’ COVID-19 precautions and apologized for how his actions, or lack thereof, reflected on the organization’s efforts.