NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported this morning that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would not return for the playoffs. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch weren't optimistic about that possibility but didn't shut the door on it either.
This past week, Lynch stated that the 49ers would not place their quarterback on injured reserve.
Garoppolo suffered a broken foot on December 4 against the Miami Dolphins. It was reported that he would miss seven to eight weeks while his foot healed. That timeline ended right around the second or third rounds of the playoffs, creating speculation that maybe we haven't seen the last of the 49ers' veteran quarterback this season.
"No surgery coming, no ligament damage, but as far as a timeframe, my understanding is about three months," Rapoport said on NFL Network. "He can't do anything at all for about the first six weeks. It was not considered to be realistic, based on sources I've spoken with, that he is back for late in the playoffs, which means it's going to be Brock Purdy now going forward."
From @NFLGameDay: #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo faces a three-month recovery timetable to be able to play following his foot injury, which means its Brock Purdy going forward. ISU coach Matt Campbell weighed in on the person and player. Story: https://t.co/KG8IhNDtTn and video 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/ygH9If4Gx2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2022
Shanahan shared this past week that the recovery timeline was only for the injury to heal.
"Not to play football," Shanahan said. "It's seven to eight weeks, but to heal."
The 49ers are set to host quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this afternoon at Levi's Stadium. It will be Purdy's first NFL start at quarterback. He entered last weekend's game against the Dolphins on the 49ers' second offensive drive and helped guide his team to a 33-17 victory.