Kyle Shanahan states Jimmy Garoppolo has a ‘way outside chance’ of returning this season

Dec 7, 2022, 12:24 PM | Updated: 1:43 pm

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

An up-and-down last 72 hours for the San Francisco 49ers, another snag was thrown into the machine Wednesday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said there is an outside chance quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could return this season for the 49ers after fracturing his left foot Sunday.

Shanahan confirmed ESPN insider Adam Schefter’s report Tuesday that the QB did not suffer a lisfranc injury, but his exact timeline still may be too soon for Garoppolo to actually return to the field for San Francisco in the playoffs.

“Still going to be a big recovery,” Shanahan said to the media Wednesday. “There’s that way outside chance [of a return] late in the playoffs but it’s just an outside chance. We’re not real optimistic about that but they didn’t rule it out.”

The 49ers will not place their veteran gunslinger on injured reserve at this time, looking to see how he recovers over the next month or so. Jimmy Garoppolo is believed to make a full recovery in time for NFL free agency in March, a huge deal for his potential suitors in 2023.

Schefter’s report stated that Garoppolo could return in six to eight weeks, making a return in the beginning rounds of the playoffs. However, Shanahan contradicted the journalist’s timeline, saying it could be fully healed by then, but actually playing is a completely different story.

“No ligament damage, that was the good thing,” the coach added.

In the meantime, rookie QB Brock Purdy will take the reigns in San Francisco. Mr. Irrelevant was good in relief duty Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, throwing for 210 passing yards, two touchdowns and a one interception.

While he’s basically the 49ers last resort in salvaging a Super Bowl-contending 2022 season, the organization feels confident that “BP” can bridge the way for the Red & Gold.

Kyle Shanahan detailed that the transition from Jimmy Garoppolo to Brock Purdy required much less adjustment by the coaching staff than the transition from Trey Lance to Garoppolo.

— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) December 7, 2022

“I can’t imagine preparing all week to take a test and then not being able to take the test.” Shanahan said on Purdy’s preparation through the season. “He’s just been ready at every opportunity he’s gotten.”

That mindset and willingness to compete is what has set Purdy apart from other rookie QBs, with his team fully ready to shoulder some of the load for the 22-year-old.

“You would think he’s been in the league 15 years. If you’re talking he’ll say shut your [expletive] up. He ain’t no timid rookie feeling his way around. He will get on your [expletive]. You would think he’s like Peyton Manning or something,” Trent Williams said in the locker room Wednesday.