Jimmy Garoppolo's Shoulder Surgery Could Complicate 49ers Plans
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers may need to rethink their plan for Jimmy Garoppolo now that the quarterback has had surgery on his throwing shoulder.
General manager John Lynch said Wednesday at the NFL's annual scouting combine that Garoppolo initially tried to avoid surgery by rehabilitating the shoulder he hurt during a wild-card win at Dallas. He won the next week at Green Bay before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game.
When the shoulder didn't heal, Garoppolo opted for surgery. Lynch said Garoppolo is expected to start throwing in late June or early July.
"Anytime you have surgery, it's not a minor deal," Lynch said. "Anytime it's the throwing shoulder, I understand the significance, but it is described as a minor surgery and Jimmy is going to be fine."
Still, the injury could make it more difficult to deal him — as the Niners seem to have planned. They intend to start Trey Lance this fall.
The trade market is wide open with two teams, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, trying to fill voids left by the retirements of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.
Other teams could be in the mix as well. The Packers are still waiting for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to make a decision about his future. Denver, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Carolina and Washington all have some uncertainty at quarterback, too.
"Jimmy's a part of us right now," Lynch said. "A lot of people need or want quarterbacks right now and he's obviously a guy they'd look at. So, yes, we have listened, but he's a part of us and he's going to work diligently to get back from this surgery."
The 49ers traded three first-round picks to select Lance third overall last season. He started two games as a rookie.
Garoppolo has a $24.2 million base salary for 2022 with $7.5 million guaranteed for injury. If the Niners can't find a trade partner and wind up cutting Garoppolo to reduce their salary-cap hit, the guarantee would be offset by any money he earns this season from a new team.
© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
