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Kyle Shanahan explains why C.J. Beathard replaced Jimmy Garoppolo at halftime

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Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images


There was oh, so much excitement for Jimmy Garoppolo’s return. Perhaps this could be the jolt the team needed to get them out of the funk the had so long been stuck in. Offensive line struggles, a less-than efficient run game and a defensive line getting pressures but not sacks; maybe Garoppolo could turn it around.

No. Nope. Not even close.

The offensive line was woeful and Garoppolo was just as bad, going 7-for-17 with 77 yards and a pair of interceptions which were basically pooch punts to the defense.

Trailing 30-7 at the half, head coach Kyle Shanahan made the decision to pull Garoppolo, and for the second-straight week, give the ball to C.J. Beathard. Within the span of four weeks, Beathard went from being a game day inactive, to the backup to the backup, to reclaiming his job as the backup, to replacing Garoppolo at the half.

According to Shanahan, he made the decision to “protect” Garoppolo, who is three weeks removed from a high ankle sprain.