Garoppolo returns, may start Sunday
SANTA eLARA >> Jimmy Garoppolo took the field for 49ers practice Wednesday for the first time in more than two weeks as he works his way back from an ankle injury.
Practicing Wednesday marks an encouraging sign that Garoppolo could star t Sund ay when the 49ers (22) host the Miami Dolphins (1-3).
“We’re going to throw him in there and that will give me a little more of an opinion,” coach Kyle Shanahan said before practice.
A right-ankle injury has sidelined Garoppolo the past 2 1/2 games, after he gutted through the injury then got pulled at halftime of a Sept. 20 win at the New York Jets.
If Garoppolo is not cleared for Sunday’s return, Shanahan said he’s already decided on who he’d start but declined to disclose the
name. Either Nick Mullens would get a third straight start or C.J. Beathard would get a chance to improve on his 1-9 record from 2017-18.
Shanahan was so dismayed by Mullens’ play in Sunday’s come-fromahead loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that Mullens got benched in favor of Beathard for their final two, last-gasp drives. Mullens impressed in relief against the Jets and an ensuing win over the New York Giants, but he had three turnovers Sunday, the final two of which led to Eagles’ touchdowns in their comeback win.
Garoppolo, albeit with only 49 pass attempts his first 1 1/2 games, produced four touchdowns and no interceptions. The only NFL other starters without an interception on their record: Derek Carr (Raiders), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Aaron Rodgers (Packers).
Garoppolo is no stranger to Dolphins coach Brian Flores, a New England Patriots defensive assistant in Garoppolo’s first years in the NFL (2014-17).
“My time with him was very good,” Flores said on a
call with Bay Area reporters. “You could see the talent early. You could see the leadership early. And he’s just a great kid. I’m really happy for him and the success he’s had.
“He was very talented. He would make throws that make you turn back and say, ‘ Wow that was a good one.’ “
Rather than fret over which 49ers quarterback starts, Flores said “you always” prepare for the system, and he noted that Shanahan’s involves “gadgets” and multiple misdirections.
Sha na ha n ha s sa id Garoppolo must show he’s capable of protecting himself, and that could be a compelling issue if the offensive line protects as unreliably as last Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. SAMUEL ON ‘ YAC BROS’ >> Deebo Samuel’s 34 snaps were a third of the offensive plays, and he had no complaints about his limited use in his season debut. He had three catches for 35 yards and a 10-yard run.
“My foot was fine,” Samuel said. “After the game, it’s a little sore because it hadn’t been in those positions, and I was just worked into practice last week. I just play my role and whatever Kyle asks me to do, I try my best at it.”
Samuel embraced the addition of rookie Brandon Aiyuk, from not only his high hurdle on a 38yard touchdown run but an ability to gain yards after the catch. “Good to say he’s part of the ‘ YAC Bros’ now,” Samuel said of a club that also includes George Kittle. “Great to have another guy who can break tackles and go score.”
HEALTH UPDATES >> Running back Raheem Mostert (knee) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps) practiced in limited fashion for the first time since the Jets game. Also limited Wednesday: wide receivers Dante Pettis (knee) and Trent Taylor (ankle).
Missing from the 49ers’ secondary in practice include safety Jimmie Ward (wrist) and cornerback Dontae Johnson ( groin), Emmanuel Moseley (concussion) and K’Waun Williams ( knee; going on short-term injured reserve). Richard Sherman (calf) continues to be held out of practice and likely will not come off injured reserve until next week.
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah ( biceps) will go on injured reserve.
DEFENSE ON ALERT >> The Dolphins will start Ryan Fitzpatrick, and whether he’s spelled by rookie Tua Tagovailoa, there is a run
game threat there. The 49ers defense must be better defending quarterback runs while trying to raise their season sack total of just eight.
“We just have to be conscious and have GPS with our rushes,” defensive end Kerry Hyder said. “We have to rush with some awareness.”
Flores said of delaying Tagovailoa’s debut: “When he’s ready to play, we’ll put him in there. Right now we feel Fitz gives us our best chance to go out to California, compete and try to win a ballgame. There’s some patience involved here with Tua, but when his time comes, he’ll be ready.” ACL SURGERIES >> Defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas had “extremely successful” surgeries to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligaments in their left knees, Shanahan said.
“I know ACL was main thing, and there was some other stuff to both of them,” Shanahan said. “I know it was clean.”
• Defensive lineman Alex Barrett was promoted from the practice squad.
• Cornerback Tim Harris Jr. came off injured reserve and was added to the practice squad, along with defensive lineman Josiah Coatney.