Garoppolo won’t need surgery on hurt ankle
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t returning to the field soon, although it could be sooner than 2021.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Garoppolo probably won’t require seasonending ankle surgery, based on the opinions of multiple doctors. The 49ers plan to reevaluate Garoppolo in four to six weeks to gauge his healing and determine if he can return before the end of the regular season.
“Hopefully, it heals up the way the doctors are anticipating,” Shanahan said. “And he’ll be good to go then and not need surgery.”
With Garoppolo on injured reserve, the 49ers plan to sign quarterback Josh Johnson, 34, to the practice squad. Johnson, an Oakland native, has had two stints with the 49ers
( 2012, 2014) and has spent time with 13 NFL teams in a career that began when he was a fifthround pick of the Buccaneers in 2008.
Johnson, who has eight starts and 268 pass attempts in his career, last played in the NFL in 2018, when he made three starts for Washington. He didn’t throw a pass in the NFL from 20122017 and has also spent time in the United Football League, the Alliance of American Football and the XFL.
The 49ers have quarterbacks Nick Mullens and C. J. Beathard on their roster. Shanahan said he wanted a practicesquad QB who could start in a pinch given the impact positive coronavirus tests can have on rosters this season.
“I wanted a guy who’s done it before, been in the league,” Shanahan said. “I’ve got a number of close friends in the league who have been with Josh and heard great things about him. I’m excited to get him in our building.”
Injury report: Shanahan said the 49ers think safety Jaquiski Tartt suffered a turftoe injury and slot cornerback K’Waun Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in 3417 loss to the Packers on Thursday. Both players were to have an MRI exam Friday to confirm the initial diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Shanahan said running back Raheem Mostert ( ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel ( hamstring) could return when the 49ers visit New Orleans on Nov. 15.
“I’m hoping for it and I know they’ve got a chance,” Shanahan said. “But we’ll get a good look at them on Monday and, hopefully, we can get them in limited ( practice) for Wednesday.”
Light work: Despite the 49ers’ lack of passcatching options, Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed played just 13 snaps against the Packers after he was taken off injured reserve before kickoff.
Shanahan said Reed’s snaps were limited because he had scant practice time since he suffered a knee injury on Sept. 27. Reed, who had one catch for 3 yards, has missed 32 of his past 50 games because of injuries. Shanahan also noted the 49ers are hoping to have Reed for the final seven regularseason games with tight end George Kittle possibly lost for the season because of a foot injury.
“It was extremely tempting to use Jordan Reed more because of how good of a player he is, but he hadn't practiced in like six weeks,” Shanahan said. “He just got cleared to go this week. And for a guy to just get cleared to go this week, who has an injury history, he’s coming off an injury and to only to give him two ( walkthrough practices) would have been pretty unfair to him.”