Jimmy Garoppolo’s foot injury does not need surgery, 49ers QB could return this season: Source

By Jeff Howe, Matt Barrows and David Lombardi

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo does not require surgery on his foot injury and could return for the playoffs if his rehab goes smoothly, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday. ESPN first reported the news. Here’s what you need to know:

• Garoppolo was ruled out of Sunday’s Week 13 game against the Dolphins with the injury after he was sacked on third down of the Niners’ opening drive.
• Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the injury would be season-ending and would require surgery.
• Garoppolo could return in seven to eight weeks and the issue is not a Lisfranc injury, per ESPN.

Backstory

Garoppolo, himself subbing in for the injured Trey Lance, has led San Francisco to an 8-4 record this season, leading the NFC West. He was replaced by Brock Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, in Sunday’s win. Purdy went 25-for-37 for 210 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Garoppolo has thrown for 2,437 yards with a 67.2 percent completion rate and 16 touchdowns this season.

What this means for San Francisco

It was notable that the 49ers signed quarterback Josh Johnson to the active roster but didn’t place Garoppolo on injured reserve, for which he seemed destined immediately after the injury occurred. That underscores that there is new hope in the organization that he can come back this season. The team only has two return-from-IR designations remaining, and those are expected to go to defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (knee) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee). They might not send Garoppolo to IR if they think he can come back. — Barrows

What to expect from Purdy

No matter what Garoppolo’s prognosis turns out to be, the 49ers will lean on the rookie to get them into, and perhaps through, the playoffs. The downside is that while Garoppolo is battle tested with 63 starts — six in the playoffs — Purdy, 22, will make his first-ever NFL start on Sunday.

The positive: Purdy is a lot like Garoppolo in that he gets rid of the ball quickly and is accurate on short-to-intermediate throws. That means that a roster full of yards-after-catch targets — Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, etc. — that has helped Garoppolo excel ought to work well for Purdy, too. — Barrows

(Photo: Sergio Estrada / USA Today)