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The 49ers turned to Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this season after first starter Trey Lance suffered an ankle injury. Now they have turned to rookie Brock Purdy after Garoppolo picked up an ankle injury of his own against the Dolphins. After taking a sack to end San Francisco’s first drive of the Week 13 matchup on Sunday, Garoppolo was seen favoring his lower body on the sidelines, then visited the medical tent before being carted into the dressing room . He was ruled out for the rest of the game in the second quarter.
Garoppolo has enjoyed one of the most productive seasons of his 49ers career, filling in for Lance while leading the 49ers to the top of 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.
Purdy, drafted from Iowa State in the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, is the only other active QB on the 49ers’ roster. Lance is on injured reserve and former backup Nate Sudfeld was fired as part of the last summer roster cuts. Purdy took over from a 7-3 deficit with the 49ers but led San Francisco to a touchdown drive on his first possession.
This is an evolving story.