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The 49ers turned to Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this season after first starter Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Now they are turning to rookie Brock Purdy after Garoppolo suffered his own season-ending injury in Week 13 against the Dolphins. After taking a sack on San Francisco’s first drive of Sunday’s win, Garoppolo was seen favoring his lower body on the sidelines, then visited the medical tent before being carted into the dressing room. Purdy replaced him for the remainder of the game.
Coach Kyle Shanahan announced immediately after the game that Garoppolo has broken his foot and will need surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of 2022 at the 49ers on 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 limelight.
The 49ers quickly made a move Sunday night, Signing of veteran Josh Johnson from the Broncos practice team, according to ESPN. Johnson appeared in four games with the Jets and Ravens last year. The 49ers also have Jacob Eason on their practice team and he appears to be next as Purdy’s backup.
Purdy, who was drafted from Iowa State with the final pick of the 2022 NFL draft, was the only other active QB on the 49ers’ roster when he took over Sunday. 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 and completed 25-of-37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the team’s 33-17 win.
This isn’t the first time Garoppolo has ended a season early due to injury. He previously missed most of the 2018 and 2020 seasons with a cruciate ligament tear and a high ankle sprain respectively.
CBS Sports stats guru Stephen Oh ran the numbers, and here’s how the 49ers’ outlook changes with Purdy at quarterback. As Oh pointed out, the dropoff is significant, but not nearly what you’d expect if your starting QB was replaced by “Mr. Irrelevant” is replaced because the 49ers otherwise have such a strong team.
| with Jimmy Garoppolo | 11.3 | 66.5% | 73.4% | 99.1% | 21.7% | 10.8% |
| with Brock Purdy | 11.0 | 64.7% | 68.7% | 98.5% | 17.8% | 8.1% |
| difference | -0.3 | -1.8% | -4.7% | -0.6% | -3.9% | -2.7% |