DENVER — Jimmy Garoppolo’s first appearance back on the field since tearing his ACL in Week 3 in 2018 was not impressive at all. But at least he got his first snaps out of the way.
Garoppolo’s first two plays were handoffs to running back Tevin Coleman, the first of which earned the team a first down. The third snap on 2nd and 6 was an incomplete pass that was intended for Dante Pettis and batted down at the line of scrimmage.
On the ensuing 3rd-and-6 play, Garoppolo threw an interception that was announced to have been intended for Dante Pettis, but could also have been for running back Matt Breida. Denver cornerback Isaac Yiadom came down with the impressive pick.
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SIGN UP HERE Garoppolo was under pressure from Broncos defensive end Bradley Chubb, who was a handful for left tackle Joe Staley during the first series.
After the Broncos drove down the field and kicked a field goal, Garoppolo took the field again.
The second series did not go much better for the returning quarterback. His first pass attempt of the series, intended for Marquise Goodwin, was tipped at the line by Broncos nose tackle Shelby Harris and resulted in an incompletion.
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Garoppolo then handed it off to Matt Breida for four yards before disaster nearly struck again. The 49ers QB attempted another dangerous pass towards the sideline and Broncos cornerback De’Vante Bausby knocked it down and almost intercepted it himself.
Garoppolo did go back in for a third and final series during the game. After a holding penalty committed by offensive lineman Najee Toran, Garoppolo and the 49ers were pinned deep in their own territory. Jimmy G faced a corner blitz on first down and barley got the pass off, which was intended for rookie tight end Kaden Smith.
The QB finally was able to connect with Breida on a short pass for no gain for his only completion of the game. His final snap under center was a handoff to Coleman before the 49ers had to punt the ball away.
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Garoppolo finished the day 1-for-6 for no yards and one interception, giving him a passer rating of 0.0. While this sounds like a disastrous return for the franchise quarterback, it is just preseason. Jimmy G and the 49ers still have time to get back into the swing of things.