San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch recently said they are still holding out hope that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would return to the football field at some point before the end of the season. NFL insider Ian Rapoport says the quarterback won't play next weekend against the Arizona Cardinals and is unlikely to play during Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, which would mean his season is over.

"Garoppolo, who went on injured reserve Nov. 5 with a high-ankle sprain, hasn't practiced yet," Rapoport reports, "and a source said he won't play next week against the Arizona Cardinals. In fact, Garoppolo is considered unlikely to play again this season."


Tight end George Kittle won't return today against the Dallas Cowboys but could get back on the field before the season's end. He remains on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury on November 1, but his practice window was opened on Wednesday.

"I mean, what I said earlier in the week, we were hoping the whole time along to kind of give [Garoppolo] and George the same plan, but Jimmy's injury is a little bit different," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday. "There's a little more risk in it, so we didn't feel good putting him back in practice this week. And it's also a little harder for the quarterback to get in there. There's not as many reps for the other guys.

"We'll see how he feels next week. Maybe we can get him into the practice, but I think his timeline is at least a week behind George's."

It sounds like Rapoport's report on Garoppolo has a lot to do with the 49ers' playoff situation. While they remain a long shot for the final wild-card spot, one more defeat would mean elimination, making each of the team's three remaining games a must-win.

"Perhaps if San Francisco still had a chance at the playoffs in Week 17, Garoppolo would have a shot," wrote Rapoport. "Otherwise, it's hard to imagine. If there is nothing to play for, considering the offseason of uncertainty that faces Garoppolo, him staying healthy benefits all parties."


As for Kittle, just being healthy may not mean a return for the tight end this season. The 49ers' playoff situation could factor into his status too.

"One source said simply, 'A lot will go into that decision,'" wrote Rapoport. "In other words, if there is nothing to play for, is it worth putting Kittle on the field and possibly risking him beginning 2021 not completely healthy? ... With two weeks to go, it's possible the 49ers may not see either of their top offensive weapons until 2021."

General manager John Lynch acknowledged this past week that any decision on Garoppolo and Kittle could hinge on where the 49ers stand as a team during these final three weeks.

"I'm not going to lie to you," Lynch said during a KNBR interview. "Us taking care of business and mathematically staying in this thing would go a long way to us having interest in those guys playing because if not, yes, they're paid to play football, they love to play football. You'd be a little more inclined to (play them), though, if we still have a chance to be in it because they're both terrific football players. They both mean a lot to our team."

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