Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Broncos: 5 predictions for San Francisco in preseason bout

By Peter Panacy

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Paxton Lynch #12 of the Denver Broncos rushes under pressure from cornerback Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Quarterback Paxton Lynch #12 of the Denver Broncos rushes under pressure from cornerback Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo Plays Two Drives

A few days ago, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tossed five consecutive interceptions during a training camp session outside Levi’s Stadium.

Ouch. And he certainly caught the negative attention from press around the league.

Garoppolo bounced back a bit during San Francisco’s first joint practice with Denver, going 10-of-15, according to the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman.

Kyle Shanahan elected not to play Garoppolo against the Cowboys, which wasn’t surprising. But considering Denver, both the altitude and defense, offer up a different challenge on the defensive side of the ball, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Garoppolo see a number of reps early in the game.

It’s likely Shanahan will keep Garoppolo in for at least one drive, probably two, especially if the 49ers’ initial drive peters out quickly.

Getting these early in-game reps will help Garoppolo develop some much-needed chemistry with his revamped receiving corps, while also re-acclimating the quarterback to life back on the field after he tore his ACL early in 2018.