The San Francisco 49ers plan to have quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo active and prepared to back up rookie C.J. Beathard this Sunday.
This news comes not long after head coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo might not even play this year.
#49ers Shanahan says CJ Beathard to start, Jimmy Garoppolo to backup. “If situation presents itself, we’ll have plan so he can function”
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) November 3, 2017
It is a good thing Garoppolo has been spending time — even on his birthday — learning the 49ers playbook. Garoppolo arrives in San Francisco via a blockbuster trade that shocked the NFL world on Monday.
The former New England Patriots backup last played in 2016, starting two games in Tom Brady’s absence. He played in six total games last year, completing 68.3 percent of his passes while throwing for four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
This Sunday, Garoppolo will back up a different caliber of quarterback. Beathard has started in just two games for the 49ers and is currently completing 52.7 percent of his passes. He has two touchdowns and three interceptions on the books.
Shanahan mentions Garoppolo needs to be ready in case a “situation presents itself.” That likely means, in case of emergency. We will find out soon enough if any such situations occur this Sunday that prompt Shanahan to make a switch at quarterback.
Stay tuned. The 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) that coincidentally, are also down to their backup quarterback.