Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle were merely observers on Monday night, sitting in the stands at State Farm Stadium in Arizona while the 49ers lost a wild 34-24 game vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Based on coach Kyle Shanahan’s postgame comments, the 49ers' QB and star tight end will continue to be sidelined as the team heads into the final four weeks of the season.
“I mean, those guys are working their tails off right now,” Shanahan told reporters about Garoppolo and Kittle. “But they're still part of the rehab, just trying to get back and be a part of this, but it's not anytime soon right now."
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Before the game, general manager John Lynch may have stoked the optimism of the 49ers Faithful in an interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters.
“We got more positive news today. (Garoppolo and Kittle) both had great workouts this morning," Lynch told Salters (h/t Niners Wire).
"That just adds to the great work they’ve been doing. We’re going to be judicious. They’re both important players, not only now but to our future, so we’re not going to put them out there until they’re ready… and we’re hopeful that at some point towards the end of the year they can get back out there and compete for us.”
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Garoppolo is nearing the end of the expected six-week minimum timeline he needs to recover from the right high-ankle sprain he suffered on Nov. 1 in Seattle. Kittle broke a bone in his left foot in the same game, and while he has expressed optimism about nearing a potential return, it sounds like Shanahan is still targeting the final couple games of the year, if anything.
The good news?
The 49ers' next two games are against the Washington Football Team and Dallas Cowboys, meaning Jimmy G, Kittle and the 49ers still have 18 days to heal up against the struggling NFC East before wrapping up the season against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in potential crucial NFC West matchups.
The bad news?
The 49ers are running out of time after Monday’s loss, which featured a crucial goal-line interception from Mullens, one play after he was whistled for a false start on a sneak attempt. Mullens deserves credit for his proficiency — he trails only Patrick Mahomes and Andrew Luck in terms of passing yards through his first 13 career games -- but he hasn't done enough to produce wins this season.
The 49ers are 1-3 over the past four weeks in a tough stretch against four playoff teams with Mullens at the helm. The 49ers are 5-7 overall, and all but shut out of the NFC playoff picture. There’s not much upside in bringing back the best tight end in the league when you’re merely playing for pride. Additionally, the Jimmy G era could be coming to a close after this season, with his big $25 million contract option looming for 2021.
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If this is how it ends for these two as teammates, at least the best buds get to share the misery of being injured together.
For now, 49ers fans everywhere still are hoping to see No. 10 and No. 85 lining up in a must-win game down the stretch.