Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday verified that there’s been a remarkable reversal in the prognosis for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who fractured his left foot in the 49ers’ win over Miami. But he also attempted to temper Tuesday’s report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, which suggested Garoppolo could return in seven to eight weeks — during a potential 49ers playoff run.

“There’s that way outside chance, late in the playoffs, something like that, but it’s just an outside chance. We’re not really real optimistic about that, but they didn’t rule it out.”

We reported the Schefter news on Tuesday, but the Niners seem to be lowering the expectations. The story went on to say in the immediate aftermath of Garoppolo’s injury Sunday, Shanahan had said Garoppolo “broke a few things in there” and would need surgery. Shanahan had reportedly been told by 49ers head athletic trainer Dustin Little that Garoppolo would be out for six months. So the good news is Garoppolo's timetable has significantly reduced, and he should at least be ready to go next year - wherever that is.

Sources: Doctors concluded today that 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo does not need foot surgery, it is not a Lisfranc injury, and if rehab goes smoothly, he could have a chance to return in 7-8 weeks, making him a potential playoff contributor.

Related players: Brock Purdy, Josh Johnson

Seven weeks from Sunday's game would put Jimmy G possibly back on the field Jan. 22, which would be the second round of the playoffs assuming the 49ers make it and win in the opening round. While they can depend on their great defense, Purdy or Johnson will have to do enough on offense to get the Niners to that point.

After Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury on Sunday, reports emerged that San Francisco would sign quarterback Josh Johnson off the Broncos’ practice squad to back up Brock Purdy.

Now that move has become official, with the 49ers announcing they’ve signed Johnson to a one-year deal on Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson was one of the only quarterbacks available who had even a little experience in the 49ers system. He was briefly with the club in 2020, the story said. The story also added it's still possible the team could sign free agent Baker Mayfield.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo is done for the season with a broken foot.

Absolutely unfortunate for Garoppolo, who helped keep the 49ers on pace for a potential Super Bowl berth after taking back the reigns from an injured Trey Lance. Now, it will be up to 2022's Mr. Irrelevant, rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, to keep the 49ers on track. Purdy went 25/37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in San Francisco's 33-17 win over the Dolphins. Fortunately for Purdy, he gets the same talent surrounding him that Garoppolo did. How Kyle Shanahan navigates this will be very interesting to watch. But it's an unfortunate setback for Garoppolo and the 49ers, who looked primed to challenge the Eagles and Vikings in the NFC.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo is questionable to return with an ankle injury.

Garoppolo was carted off early in the game and taken to the locker room to have his ankle evaluated. For the moment, Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant, is in at quarterback.

The San Francisco 49ers will have Trey Lance as their starting quarterback for this season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the 49ers will start Lance and try to trade Jimmy Garoppolo in the coming weeks.

"We have moved on to Trey (Lance), Shanahan said as the 49ers reported to camp Tuesday. "We think Jimmy would have been traded if the surgery didn't happen. He needed to do it, there's no ill will there at all. It's good to see that he is healthy, but now it's about seeing how all this will end up."

Shanahan said the team will always think about Garoppolo and they will work together to find the best thing for him. Garoppolo had offseason surgery on his shoulder, damaging any opportunity of the 49ers getting value for their starting quarterback this offseason, the story said. Not many teams are in need for a quarterback as camps opened across the league this week, nor does San Francisco have much leverage in trying to get high compensation for him the story added. We have Lance ranked 12th on our QB list.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told 49ers reporter Tim Kawakami on his The Athletic podcast that he would "be surprised" if Jimmy Garoppolo is practicing with the 49ers at any point this offseason. He also mentioned that he didn't know if he would even see him anymore after tomorrow's physical day.

Related Players: Trey Lance

This all but confirms that Garoppolo will be out of the building sooner rather than later. This clearly opens the runway for Trey Lance, but also puts doubts on other "fringe" quarterbacks around the league. The Seahawks, Texans, Saints, and Commanders seem like the most likely candidates, in whatever order you would like to put them in.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo will undergo shoulder surgery that will sideline him until this summer.

Related Player: Trey Lance

Whether Jimmy G is a 49er come summer is still to be determined, it gives Trey Lance an opportunity to work with the team's offensive players as the QB1 as long as Garoppolo is out.