What are 49ers quarterback options after Jimmy G suffers season-ending injury?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending injury, leaving the team with little options for the rest of the season.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback position was shaken up early in the season after second-year quarterback Trey Lance suffered a fractured ankle in Week 2. Luckily for them, they had Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster, and they reached an agreement for him to be their starter for the remainder of the season. The 49ers were ranked atop the NFC West with a 7-4 record entering Week 13, but now their hopes have taken a hit.
During the team’s 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins, Garoppolo had to be carted off the field in the first half, where he was replaced by Brock Purdy. 49ers fans were hoping for the best, but they received the worst possible news after the game.
On Sunday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Garoppolo broke his foot and is expected to be out for the season.
This news is obviously devastating to the team and brings up a big void on the team. So, what are their options?
What are 49ers quarterback options with Jimmy Garoppolo done for season?
With Garoppolo done for the season, the outside options are limited. They can’t make a trade, since the deadline passed back on Nov. 1. The free agent options include names like Mike Glennon, Cam Newton, and Josh Rosen.
San Francisco’s best option is to address it in-house. So, that is Purdy, who was “Mr. Irrelevant” in this year’s NFL Draft.
Entering in relief on Sunday, Purdy threw his first career touchdown pass on his very first offensive drive of the day, connecting with fullback Kyle Juszczyk on a three-yard pass. Then, right before halftime, Purdy threw another three-yard touchdown pass, this time to running back Christian McCaffrey.
On the day, Purdy completed 25-of-37 pass attempts for 210 yards.
As for who would back Purdy up for the rest of the way, it would be Jacob Eason right now, who is currently on the team’s practice squad. Eason, the former 2020 fourth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, was part of the Carolina Panthers team earlier this year. He actually appeared in Carolina’s 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 16, where he completed three-of-five pass attempts for 59 yards, while throwing an interception.
Of course, the backup options could differ depending on what Shanahan and general manager John Lynch want to do.
So for the 49ers, it will be Purdy leading the way for the rest of the way. This late into the season, starting someone who knows the playbook is the best possible option for them.
UPDATE: ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reports on Sunday night that the 49ers are signing Josh Johnson off the Denver Broncos practice squad and onto their active roster.
This will be Johnson’s third stint with the 49ers.
