The San Francisco 49ers will soon be firing the starting signal for their hoped-for new era: Jimmy Garoppolo has a serious chance of making his starting debut for the Niners against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Already against the Seahawks last Sunday Garoppolo came to a few snaps, because rookie starter C. J. was not able to take part. Beathard had been injured. Garoppolo had two passes for 18 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown to Louis Murphy at the last play of the game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, explained that Garoppolo will play against the Bears if Beathard’s knee and hip injuries make it impossible for him to train on Wednesday.
“C.J. is a rookie quarterback, and in our opinion Jimmy is a rookie quarterback, since he’s only been here for a few weeks,”Shanahan explained,”In order to give them the best possible chance of success, it’s important that they get all the reps in training, which is still not enough. But as soon as you divide them up, it’s a disadvantage for both of them.”
Garoppolo’s last regular season start came in Week 2 of last season, when he represented suspended Tom Brady in New England. Against Miami he got 232 yards and three touchdowns before he had to leave injured.