Shanahan: It will be hard to win without Jimmy G
SANTA aLARA >> Jimmy Garoppolo’s right ankle could require season- ending surgery, and while that forces the 49ers to again adjust without their star quarterback, coach Kyle Shanahan has seen enough of Garoppolo to size up his future.
No, Shanahan did not imply that Garoppolo won’t be returning. Nor did he guarantee a 2021 return, though he did defend him.
Last season’s Super Bowl run offered a strong sample
size, and that is what the 49ers mostly will have to go off because this season was tainted by Garoppolo’s ankle woes.
“I’ve got a good idea with Jimmy and what he’s capable of doing and that’s why he’s been here,” Shanahan said Tuesday in a video call with reporters. “People get better when they play more, and that’s why I feel for Jimmy.
“One, he gives us our best chance to win; he’s proven that. It’s hard he won’t be here for at least six (weeks), because it’s hard to win without him. Regardless, I want Jimmy to play as much as possible because he only gets better. That’s the most frustrating thing.”
It’ll also be hard to win without tight end George Kittle, who Shanahan confirmed is out eight weeks with a foot fracture and will head to injured reserve with Garoppolo. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and running back Tevin Coleman ( knee) have also been ruled out for Thursday night’s game when the 49ers (4- 4) host the Green
Bay Packers (5-2).
Barring the surgery option that is being explored, Garoppolo’s six- to- eight week timeline is standard for high ankle sprains, as Shanahan acknowledged. Thing is, Garoppolo only missed 21/2 games after initially hurting his right ankle in a Sept. 20 win at the New York Jets.
Shanahan said he has no regrets for Garoppolo’s Oct. 11 return against Miami, which backfired and got Garoppolo benched at halftime. He fared well in wins over the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots,
and then came Sunday’s struggles at Seattle. Garoppolo departed after the third quarter with a worse ankle sprain than his Oct. 20 injury.
“He essentially had a whole new one,” Shanahan said of Garoppolo’s sprain. “That’s why surgery is an option. We’re getting different doctors’ opinions now. Whatever is best for him long term is what we’ll decide on.”
For comparison’s sake, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey has not played since his high ankle sprain the same day as Garoppolo’s on Sept. 20.
Garoppolo’s salary is $24 million each of the final two seasons of his contract. He hasn’t spoken to the media since prior to the Seattle game.
“Jimmy is one of the most positive dudes in the locker room and a positive leader. He’s in good spirits,” said Nick Mullens, Garoppolo’s successor in the lineup. “We all feel terrible for him the way it happened.”
MULLENS’ MISSION >> Mullens exuded a lot of confidence ahead of his third start this season, saying: “No reason to not be confident. I believe in our teammates.”
He passed for 343 yards in a 36-9 road win over the New York Giants in Week 3, but he got benched the next Sunday when he committed three turnovers as the 49ers fell 25-20 at home to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He’s had some very good games,” said Shanahan, immediately citing Mullens’ starting debut two years ago in a rout of the Raiders. “His first game was one of the best games of all-time statistically, which was a Thursday night game.
“This year, Nick did some pretty unbelievable things in the Giants game. Nick showed us what he could do. I know Nick can go out and do that.”
>> Shanahan said Monday morning rattled the emotions of everyone throughout the 49ers organization once linebacker Kwon Alexander got traded to New Orleans.
“I love Kwon Alexander,” Shanahan said. “It broke my heart to have to tell him what we had to do. But you have to understand what factors into those decisions. When you look ahead, keeping him here eight more weeks, that will cost us two more players (on salary cap).”
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Alexander was a “perfect” addition via free agency last year, and that led to a painful departure.
“There was a lot of pain, just from a personal standpoint with Kwon and what he’s brought to us not only as a man but a player,” Saleh said. “The energy, the leadership, the honesty, the practice habits, all of it. Kwon is one of the more genuine human beings I’ve been around. Losing that person and personality is not a fun thing.”
Linebacker Fred Warner said he spent time at Alexander’s house after the trade and is “forever in debt for him allowing me to bring my game (up).” As for Dre Greenlaw, Warner noted: “He’s had such a great progression since he got here. And now having this role that he can own
it, he’s going to get better and can be one of the best in this league.”
For Alexander, the 49ers got Los Gatos-bred linebacker Kiko Alonso, a fifthround draft pick and salary cap relief.
PETTIS, TAYLOR RELEASED >> Wide receiver Dante Pettis got waived, two days after injuring his shoulder and fumbling on his first career kickoff return. The 49ers moved up to draft Pettis in the 2018 second round ( No. 44 overall).
Pettis had no receptions this season and totaled 36 for 576 yards and seven touchdowns the previous two years, with most of that coming as a rookie (27 catches, 467 yards, five touchdowns). His punt-return prowess did not carry over from the University of Washington as none of his 11 returns went further than 14 yards, with only two punt returns this year for 14 total yards.
Defensive tackle Jullian Taylor was also released as he’s spent the season on the physically unable to perform list. He sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament last December.
HEALTH UPDATES >> Tight end Jordan Reed ( knee), safety Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and wide receiver Richie James Jr. (ankle) were limited in Tuesday’s practice, held on Levi’s Stadium’s field rather than the neighboring training grounds.