Jimmy Garoppolo is just three months removed from the torn ACL which ended his 2018 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said multiple times that he expects (or hopes, rather) to have the San Francisco 49ers quarterback throwing when the team kicks off organized team activities in late May.
"Hopefully, we can get him in some 7-on-7 deals and things like that, and he can be throwing the ball," Shanahan said earlier this month. "So, we'll see if that works out that way."
For now, Garoppolo remains focused on his rehab. 49ers beat writers caught an encouraging glimpse of the team's franchise quarterback during Friday's practice — the last of the season. Garoppolo was seen doing some light rehab work with a trainer on a side field.
Here is what Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group and Matt Barrows of The Athletic had to say:
#49ers Jimmy Garoppolo is hopping on side field in his ACL rehab with a trainer as team goes through final practice of season. Looks very encouraging. (No pics allowed)
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 28, 2018
Notable sight on the side field as practice begins: Jimmy Garoppolo looking surprisingly spry as he hops/side hops under the supervision of one of the #49ers' trainers.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 28, 2018
The 49ers signed Garoppolo in February to a five-year deal worth up to $137.5 million. Barring a setback in his rehab, he will be the 49ers' starting quarterback when the team kicks off the 2019 regular season. The 49ers' current starting quarterback, Nick Mullens, and last year's third-round draft pick, C.J. Beathard, will compete for the backup job this offseason, according to Shanahan.
Garoppolo has passed for 2,278 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions through nine games and eight starts with San Francisco and is 6-2 as a starter.