Jimmy Garoppolo Could Return To 49ers For Playoffs After Foot Injury

Once thought to be a season-ending injury, medical personnel have concluded that Jimmy Garoppolo’s broken left foot will not require surgery. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback could reportedly return to the field in seven to eight weeks.

Initial reports suggested that the quarterback had suffered a Lisfranc injury against the Dolphins Sunday, which would have required season-ending surgery. Those assessments were later rejected. Following Garoppolo’s injury update, the 49ers announced that they will not put him on injured reserve, a clear sign that they hope to start him again this season. But Head Coach Kyle Shanahan clarified in a press conference that he still considers it a slim chance.

“It is not a Lisfranc (injury). They don’t have to do surgery on it. So, it’ll be a big recovery, but much less than what we anticipated,” Shanahan said. “There’s that way outside chance late into the playoffs or something like that. But it’s just an outside chance. I’m not really real optimistic about that, but they didn’t rule it out.”

As Shanahan noted, the 49ers would have to make a deep run in the playoffs for Garoppolo to have a chance of seeing the field again this season. Considering the team’s improvement in recent weeks, that could still be possible. After a somewhat productive start in 2022, the 49ers became a serious Super Bowl contender as its offense found its footing.

Now 8-4, new trade acquisition Christian McCaffrey has joined a scheme that includes receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as well as star tight end George Kittle. Garoppolo was leading the dynamic offense to great effect before his recent setback.

After Garoppolo’s injury, backup quarterback Brock Purdy stepped in and guided San Francisco to a 33-17 win over Miami. After a successful college career at Iowa State, Purdy was the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is set to make the first start of his NFL career this week against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.