San Francisco 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo expects to overlook a number of weeks
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was eliminated on Sunday at halftime of the team’s week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
It wasn’t immediately known what resulted in the veteran quarterback not returning with his offense in the third quarter. When rookie Trey snapped Lance under the middle, reports surfaced that Garoppolo was struggling with a calf injury.
It’s not good news for a quarterback who missed 23 out of a possible 48 games in three full seasons as San Francisco entered the 2021 season.
Immediately after the loss, Garoppolo spoke to reporters in Santa Clara. In doing so, he seemed to be spreading some news on the injury front.
“I hope it only lasts a few weeks, something like that,” Garoppolo told reporters. The Super Bowl quarterback also pointed out that these injuries are getting old.
Keep in mind that Garoppolo missed all but three games of the 2018 campaign with a cruciate ligament tear. He returned to full health in 2019 and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl before missing 10 games due to multiple ankle injuries last season.
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Was the last time we saw Jimmy Garoppolo at the San Francisco 49ers?
October 3, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) reacts after a touchdown pass to tight end Ross Dwelley (82) in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
It would be far too premature to conclude that. Rookie No. 3 Pick Trey Lance took over from under the middle to start the second half against Seattle. He went on to score 198 yards and two touchdowns while completing 9 of 18 passes. This included a 76-yard touchdown strike for Deebo Samuel.
Even so, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been steadfast in his support for Garoppolo. One of the main reasons San Francisco exhausted two future first-round picks to promotion for Lance in April was the veteran quarterback’s injury problems. If it’s healthy, there’s no reason to believe that San Francisco will turn to Lance.
Even then, there will be loud calls to San Francisco to replace Jimmy Garoppolo with Lance below the middle. This is especially true if the 49ers (2-2) aren’t seen as legitimate Super Bowl contenders moving forward.
Now it’s all about Garoppolo’s calf injury and how long he’ll be absent. San Francisco will take on the undefeated Cardinals in Arizona next week. Right now it looks like Lance will be below the middle.
