49ers training camp is just a week away and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport just dropped an update on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Appearing on “NFL Now” Wednesday morning, Rapoport said Garoppolo recently had a follow up visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed his shoulder surgery in March.
“Had that a couple days ago,” Rapoport said of the follow-up. “Told it went well, he’s progressing well. He is still throwing, he has been throwing for several weeks now. Probably, maybe in a week or so, a little more, it’s gonna be full throttle, able to make all the throws that he needs to make.”
The report came shortly before Adam Schefter broke the news that Garoppolo and his agent Don Yee have permission to seek a trade.
The 49ers could save $25.5 million by releasing Garoppolo, but it’s also a bit more complicated than that, as outlined by The Athletic’s David Lombardi. As far as we know, Garoppolo is yet to pass a physical and the 49ers don’t have immediate pressure to release him.
Rapoport said Garoppolo is on track to be “fully cleared” by mid-August. The 49ers’ first preseason game is on Aug. 12 against the Green Bay Packers and Rapoport said it’s a possibility Garoppolo could audition in an exhibition for the 49ers.
“It’s not just about making all the throws,” Rapoport said. “It’s about making all the throws then doing it again, then doing it again and being able to withstand the rigors of a practice and/or potentially a game. That’s why mid-August is essentially the date when he will be fully cleared.”
“At that point, we will start the process – or kick start the process of figuring out – where he’s gonna go? Is he gonna be traded? Is he gonna be released? Is he gonna somehow, some way stay on the 49ers roster maybe? Still so much to be answered, but all of that comes after he regains his full health.”
Currently, there appear to be two possible destinations for Garoppolo – either the Seattle Seahawks or Cleveland Browns. The Seahawks could seek an upgrade over Drew Lock after trading away Russell Wilson this offseason. The Browns are awaiting to hear the fate of new quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been accused by dozens of women of sexual misconduct. The Houston Texans, Watson’s former team, recently settled with 30 accusers.
Rapoport also recently appeared on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland and said he was skeptical of any Garoppolo-to-Browns trade rumors.
“If Deshaun Watson gets a full year, I guess anything is possible,” Rapoport said. “I haven’t felt a ton of momentum about Jimmy Garoppolo and the Browns.”
