49ers will not break Branch’s fall

It seems it's time for your weekly Jimmy Garoppolo update. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has been sidelined since suffering a broken foot on December 4. However, there is a slight chance Garoppolo could return and suit up for the playoffs, likely serving as rookie Brock Purdy's backup. That probably won't be this week, though. Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the quarterback probably wouldn't be ready for an NFC Championship Game appearance. However, Garoppolo suiting up for the Super Bowl, should the 49ers make it that far, might be more likely. On Monday, Shanahan was once again asked about Garoppolo's recovery and

Brock Purdy is preparing to start his second-ever NFL playoff game. Sunday's Divisional Round matchup between his San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys will only be the rookie quarterback's seventh career NFL start and his eighth game appearance with extended playing time. Purdy took over for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo during Week 13. At the time, the 49ers were riding a four-game win streak. The winning continued with Purdy under center. San Francisco's last loss came on October 23, 2022, and the team has won 11 consecutive games since. Purdy may be a rookie, but he has played with the poise and skill of a savvy veteran. He has done everything asked of him, shedding the "Mr. Irrelevant" label that came with being the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL

The San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, is a hot name in head coaching searches. The assistant coach has already interviewed with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. The Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts still hope to speak with Ryans about their head coach vacancies. Right now, Ryans and the 49ers are focused on their NFC Championship Game opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. Players know their time with the defensive coordinator is running out, though. In their minds, there is no doubt that Ryans will thrive as a head coach, whether that be after this season or down the road. "He's going to be a great head coach," defensive end Nick Bosa told reporters on Wednesday. "I think he's as good as it gets when it comes to the scheme on

On Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans would interview with the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts ahead of the team's Divisional Round playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. "He's going to do those interviews prior to kickoff tomorrow against the Cowboys," Fowler said on-air. "It's a crazy 72-hour window for Ryans. People around the league believe he has traction in Houston. He played six years there, was a great player, played alongside J.J. Watt and others, well respected. ... Ryans will be firmly in the mix on multiple