In a highly-anticipated assembly between the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers emerged victorious over his former assistant Mike McDaniel, and the Dolphins.
But the win was a expensive one for San Francisco.
Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked to finish San Francisco’s opening drive of the sport, and was in apparent ache as he got here off the sphere to be evaluated by trainers. He was then left discipline on a cart and was taken to the locker room for additional analysis.
Following the victory, Shanahan addressed the media, and confirmed to reporters that the quarterback had suffered a damaged foot.
The harm would require surgical procedure, and Shanahan indicated that it’s a season-ending harm:
Having misplaced Trey Lance earlier within the season to a fractured fibula, the 49ers turned to a different younger quarterback, rookie Brock Purdy, to shut out the sport in opposition to Miami.
Purdy, who was Mr. Irrelevant in final spring’s draft, carried out slightly effectively because the 49ers topped the Dolphins by a ultimate rating of 33-17. Purdy accomplished 25 of 37 passes for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns, together with an interception.
His first landing got here on his first drive of the sport, as he related with fullback Kyle Juszczyk on a brief throw into the fitting flat for a three-yard landing:
In addition to the play being his first NFL landing go, the throw made a bit historical past, as Purdy grew to become the primary Mr. Irrelevant to throw a landing go. This shouldn’t be the primary time Purdy made league historical past this season. Earlier this yr he grew to become the primary Mr. Irrelevant to full a go within the NFL.
Purdy’s second landing go of the sport got here simply earlier than halftime, as he linked up with Christian McCaffrey to present the 49ers a 17-10 lead on the break:
But maybe his finest throw of the sport got here a number of performs previous to the McCaffrey landing. With the 49ers dealing with a third and 10 at their very own 35-yard line, Purdy managed to attach with George Kittle over the center to maneuver the chains, regardless of go rusher Jaelan Phillips bearing down on him within the pocket:
San Francisco will now put their proficient offense in Purdy’s arms for the remainder of the season. The group does have Jacob Eason on the observe squad, and can seemingly add extra depth on the place.
(Sunday night time, the group signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson off the Denver Broncos’ observe squad).
Could Lance make a return? Back in November Shanahan addressed that query, and indicated that barring one thing “drastic,” the plan was for Lance to return for 2023:
“I haven’t been told there’s a chance, so I think things would have to be pretty drastic,” Shanahan informed reporters. “We weren’t expecting that much from the beginning. I think he’s right on schedule with everything, but I’ve not been told there’s a chance.”
Whether Garoppolo’s harm qualifies as one thing “drastic” stays to be seen.
Speaking of 2023, Garoppolo’s harm got here simply hours after reporting surfaced that the 49ers and the quarterback have been each open to Garoppolo returning to San Francisco for the 2023 season. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “both sides are open to him being back for the 2023 season.”