The San Francisco 49ers visit the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3 in a battle of two NFC West teams that are struggling with injuries to key players.
Running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be out for San Francisco, and wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua won’t play for Los Angeles, and more key players could possibly sit out for both teams.
One subplot to this game is the fact that Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers’ former starting quarterback, is now a backup for the Rams and has reportedly been helping them prepare for the matchup.
However, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan is downplaying Garoppolo’s role.
“I think it’s way overblown,” Shanahan said, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I think it’s way overblown.”
Kyle Shanahan isn’t concerned about Jimmy Garoppolo helping the Rams prepare for Sunday’s matchup 😅 pic.twitter.com/1fi64vtPse
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 20, 2024
Garoppolo started his career with the New England Patriots as an understudy to Tom Brady, and when he was traded to San Francisco midway through the 2017 season, it sped up the Niners’ rebuilding process.
It was the first year there for both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, and the team quickly went on a five-game winning streak despite being low-powered on offense.
But things quickly changed in 2022 due to some blessings in disguise.
Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was the Niners’ starting QB when the season began, only to suffer a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.
Garoppolo reclaimed the QB1 spot until he suffered a season-ending injury of his own in Week 13, paving the way for rookie Brock Purdy to take over and never look back.
Luckily for the 49ers, Shanahan is an offensive wizard, and he may be able to make some tweaks to their offense in to keep the Rams guessing, no matter how much inside information Garoppolo supplies.
NEXT:
49ers Likely Without 1 More Offensive Star In Week 3