The 49ers turned to Jimmy Garoppolo early in the season after initial starter Trey Lance suffered an ankle injury. Now, after Garoppolo suffered a season-ending injury of his own against the Dolphins in Week 13, they’re turning to rookie Brock Purdy. After being sacked in Game 1 of San Francisco’s victory Sunday, Garoppolo was seen using his lower body on the sidelines before visiting the medical tent before being taken to the locker room. Purdy replaced him for the rest of the game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced immediately after the game that Garoppolo suffered a broken foot and required surgery, which will keep him out for the rest of 2022. Garoppolo has been enjoying one of the most productive seasons of his 49ers career, filling in for Lance while coaching him. The 49ers are in the NFC West. However, his own injury history was reportedly one of the main reasons San Francisco sought Lance as a potential long-term starter. Now, it’s suddenly back in the spotlight.
The 49ers moved quickly on Sunday night, Sign veteran Josh Johnson He left the Broncos’ practice squad, according to ESPN. Johnson appeared in four games last year for the Jets and Ravens. The 49ers also have Jacob Eason on the practice roster, who appears to be the next Purdy backup.
Purdy, selected out of Iowa State with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was the only active quarterback on the 49ers’ roster when he took office Sunday. Lance is sidelined with an injury, and previous backup Nate Sudfield was fired in the final summer cuts. Purdy took over with the 49ers trailing 7-3 but led San Francisco to a touchdown on his first possession and completed 25 of 37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and a An interception, helping the team win 33-17.
This isn’t the first time Garoppolo’s season has ended early due to injury. He previously missed most of the 2018 and 2020 seasons with a torn ACL and high ankle sprain, respectively.
CBS Sports stat guru Stephen Oh crunched the numbers, and here’s how quarterback Purdy affects the 49ers’ prospects. As Oh pointed out, since the 49ers have such a strong group, the dip makes sense when your starting QB is replaced by “Mr. Irrelevant,” but it’s nowhere near what you’d expect.
| with Jimmy Garoppolo | 11.3 | 66.5% | 73.4% | 99.1% | 21.7% | 10.8% |
| Brock Purdy | 11.0 | 64.7% | 68.7% | 98.5% | 17.8% | 8.1% |
| the difference | -0.3 | -1.8% | -4.7% | -0.6% | -3.9% | -2.7% |