SANTA CLARA - Through the challenge of a season-ending injury, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo says he’s very positive as he moves forward through the rehabilitation process.
The 49ers headed towards the 2018 season full of hope and high expectations. Things have gone off course after being hit with multiple injuries to key players. Losing Garoppolo to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3, facing the Kansas City Chiefs, was the biggest blow.
Garoppolo suffered the non-contact injury when he attempted to get a few extra yards on a run along the sidelines late in the fourth quarter. There has been some debate about Garoppolo needing to protect himself, as opposed to risking injury, attempting to get the first down.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“Well, I’ve always been pretty cautious,” Garoppolo said. “So that was kind of the freak accident of the play. I don’t know if it was just instinct to cut back like that, but it is what it is.
“Initially you think about that stuff. You think of every situation possible, plays before it and all that stuff. Eventually, you get to a point where you have to accept it and start moving on.”
Garoppolo had successful surgery on his left knee on Oct. 3. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he was already back at 49ers headquarters, attending meetings, on Oct. 19. Shanahan said it was “good to see his face” around the facility.
The QB confirmed the surgery went without complications and that the rehabilitation process is going well. The doctors fixed a few minor things they found in his knee, but the ACL was the only major ligament torn.
San Francisco 49ers
"The stitches are out and the scar healed up quickly,” Garoppolo said. “Now we can move on to the pool stuff, really move forward now.”
Garoppolo and fellow ACL recovery teammate, running back Jerick McKinnon, are not allowed on the sidelines during the games because of risk of further injury. They were both spotted near the press box at the last home game facing the Rams, giving them a much different perspective of the game.
“It’s strange,” Garoppolo said. “The first couple I was down in L.A., just watching from the couch. This last one I got to go to the game and sit in the box and watch, It’s a completely different perspective. You feel like a coach almost, and so there’s little things like that that I’ve tried to find a silver lining of how to take advantage of this extra time. I’ll never be given time like this again so you have to take advantage of what you’re given.”
Another silver lining for both Garoppolo and McKinnon is that they will have each other to lean on throughout the rehabilitation process.
“I’d never wish it on anybody but it’s nice having Jet there with me. We do very similar exercises. He’s a little ahead of me right now so I’m trying to play a little catch up with him. It’s nice to have someone there with you the whole time.”
Through his nine games with the 49ers, which includes eight starts, Garoppolo competed 64.8 percent of his passes, threw 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions, giving him a 94.1 percent rating.
Along with dealing with crutches, Garoppolo said that accepting the fact he had suffered a season-ending injury has been the most challenging part of this whole ordeal.
“I’ve never had a serious injury like this,” Garoppolo said, “So it’s different, but we are very positive now. I have Jet going through it with me, so it’s good.”
Garoppolo hopes to be able to participate in the 2019 offseason program.