Jimmy Garoppolo’s return from a high ankle sprain didn’t go as planned. He was a disaster in the first half with a pair of interceptions and got benched in favor of CJ Beathard for the second half.
It wasn’t just the two interceptions though. Garoppolo never looked right after missing two games with a high ankle sprain.
His first throw of the game was an out route to running back Jerick McKinnon that sailed out of bounds. He finished the first half 7-for-17 for 77 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
His two turnovers were bad too. One was a lob over the top to McKinnon that stayed in the air too long and let safety Bobby McCain run underneath it. The second one was worse. Deebo Samuel was open but Garoppoloo badly overthrew him and cornerback Xavien Howard came up with the easiest interception of his career.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo’s benching was to protect his high ankle sprain according to the Fox.
It’s hard to imagine this change becomes permanent, but it will surely raise long-term questions about Garoppolo’s viability as a franchise quarterback.
