Garoppolo will start for 49ers vs. Miami
Jimmy Garoppolo was naturally thrilled to officially be back from a high ankle sprain when he was named the 49ers starting quarterback against Miami on Sunday. The news of Garoppolo’s return, though, may have been even more exciting for one of his teammates.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk found himself daydreaming a bit while in the offensive huddle during practice the past three days. He could sense the 49ers were about to get the band back together.
“Extremely excited, man. It’s been really cool in practice this week to look to my right, there’s George (Kittle). Look to my left, there’s Brandon (Aiyuk), Deebo (Samuel), Raheem ( Mostert). Jimmy across the way,” Juszczyk said Friday after Kyle Shanahan announced Garoppolo is fit to play again. “That’s exactly how we envisioned it in the off-season and it’s great to finally have everybody healthy and in there together.”
The 49ers coach said he’s seen enough of Garoppolo during practice the past three days to feel comfortable his recovery from a right high ankle sprain in Week 2 will allow him to play against the Dolphins.
“Each day he got better, never felt too sore the next day so we needed to hear that today and
see him out there today. We feel good to go, and he’ll be starting Sunday,” Shanahan said.
S ha na ha n a lso a nnounced Garoppolo will have a new backup going forward. C. J. Beathard is now the No. 2 quarterback, having beaten out Nick Mullens for the backup spot because of their disparate levels of play during Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.
Mullens threw a pair of interceptions, including a back-breaking pick six, while Beathard went 14-for19 for 138 yards in mopup duty in San Francisco’s 2520 loss.
“( Nick) didn’t have his best game. C. J.’s been there before, Jimmy’s been there before,” Shanahan said about delivering the demotion news to Mullens. “Nick just had a rough game. I think he played better than it looked. It’s never as bad as it seems, but that’s kind of the life of a backup.”
But, if all goes according to plan, there won’t be any need for anyone but Garoppolo behind center. Garoppolo confirmed he’s no longer feeling the effects of the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for the past 2 1/2 games.
“Ankle’s feeling really good right now,” Garoppolo told reporters Friday. “Got the last couple weeks off to get it right. So, the training staff, I tip my hat to those guys they did a great job preparing me.
“As far as getting out there, we’ve had the whole week to work on it, so it’s feeling pretty good right now.”
Garoppolo said he initially didn’t believe the injury he suffered against the Jets when he was sacked would be a severe one. In fact, he lobbied with the 49ers medical staff to return to the game in the second half of the 49ers’ 31-13 victory.
“I’ve had normal ankle sprains, never had a high ankle sprain,” he said. “So, this was a first and I kind of just thought it was going to be like a normal ankle sprain that I could come back (from).
“It took a little time, but I’m glad to be back out there with the guys. It feels great.”
When Garoppolo returns, he’s hoping to have the services of top wide receiver Samuel, who missed practice again Friday with an illness.
Shanahan said although the team doesn’t believe Samuel’s illness is COVIDrelated, the 24-year old wasn’t allowed in the building the past two days because he exhibited a couple of the symptoms (slight fever, aches)
Samuel has tested negative for COVID once, and if the second test he took Friday comes back negative on Saturday, he’ll be available to play Sunday.
In addition, there continues to be hope that Mostert, who suffered a sprained MCL on the same day Garoppolo was hurt, might play Sunday. The sixth-year running back, who had 258 yards from scrimmage in the first two-plus games, was again limited in practice Friday. He’s listed as questionable for the Dolphins.
Garoppolo couldn’t have agreed more when told of Juszczyk’s feelings about finally getting the offense back together.
“It’s exciting to get a group out there that you env isioned,” Garoppolo said. “It’s all about building chemistry. And the more days we can stack together, be out there together, talk in the same language — all those little intricacies that go into it — I think it just makes us better.”
INJURY NEWS >> With cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), Dontae Johnson ( groin) and K’Waun Williams ( knee, likely headed to injured reserve) declared out, the 49ers will have to bring in one or two more defensive backs on Saturday, Shanahan said.
The 49ers are also hoping to have Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) back.