© Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers locker room was visibly somber following their 38-27 loss at Kansas City last Sunday. Much of that had to do with the news of Jimmy Garoppolo suffering a torn ACL in the fourth quarter, ending his 2018 season three games in.
Just because he won’t be on the field for the next 13 games, Garoppolo doesn’t expect, or want, different treatment.
The 49ers quarterback sits next to fullback Kyle Juszczyk on plane rides. At some point during the commute from Kansas City to the Bay Area, Garoppolo told his teammates not to take it easy on him.
“I’m not handicapped,” Garoppolo said. “I am still one of the guys.”
“I immediately jumped on that opportunity,” said Juszczyk, laughing.
There haven’t been many laughs in Santa Clara with the recent news. Head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted it was difficult to immediately digest the reality of moving forward this season without Garoppolo.
“It’s hard that night,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “It’s hard the next day. It’s hard if I sit around and want to think about it. Nothing can stay like that in the NFL. The game next Sunday isn’t moving. It’s going to be there.”
As tight end George Kittle says, the 24-hour rule is in effect. Be sad and upset, but once the following week of practice ramps up, and preparation begins for the Sunday matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, there can’t be any lingering emotions.
“The season doesn’t slow down for anyone,” Kittle said. “You got to move on. We have 13 games left, plus playoffs and whatever you want. We can’t really sit back and mourn and feel bad for ourselves while the Chargers are out there practicing and getting better. They don’t really care.”
Garoppolo has spent time in the Santa Clara facilities in recent days. He was in meetings all day Wednesday. While the situation is certainly not ideal, Shanahan feels that sitting back and observing can only help Garoppolo, who has just eight career starts with the 49ers.
Quarterback C.J. Beathard will take the reins of the offense moving forward. With 13 games remaining this season, the 49ers’ goals are still out in front of them, even if their franchise quarterback won’t be leading them.
“There’s not time to sit here and feel sorry for ourselves,” Shanahan said. “It’s time to step it up and win some games.”