SF 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo likely to get start vs. Dolphins in Week 5

Kyle Shanahan told KNBR Friday morning the SF 49ers are hoping Jimmy Garoppolo can get the start for Week 5 against the visiting Dolphins.

For the first time all season, the SF 49ers could potentially have all their top offensive skill players on the field at once, including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

This, thanks to some news head coach Kyle Shanahan shared on KNBR 680’s Murph and Mac Show Friday morning.

“It’s looking like that’s going to be the case,” Shanahan said. “If he comes in today and he’s sore or has any setbacks with our practice today, we’re going to have to wait another week.”

Garoppolo returned to practice this week after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets, which forced him to miss the Niners’ Week 3 and 4 games against the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.

San Francisco went 1-1 in that two-game stretch with its No. 2 option under center, Nick Mullens, starting.

Mullens was excellent during Week 3 at MetLife Stadium, passing for 343 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over. His performance prompted some to think he could potentially be a dark-horse candidate to start over Jimmy G when the latter was fully available after his injury recovery. But a down performance in the loss against the Eagles, which included three turnovers and eventually being benched for third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard, essentially thwarted any such thought.

General manager John Lynch also told KNBR 680 he thought the prospects for Garoppolo returning in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins were pretty good:

"Jimmy is has done a really good job on this rehab. The good news is, now we’re through two days of practice and he’s been out there both days and I always think it’s a positive step when you practice Wednesday and you come back feeling a little better on Thursday. That’s typically a good sign when you don’t regress and instead, you’re making progress and I think that was the case today."

SF 49ers to have bulk of offensive players back on the field

Garoppolo isn’t just the only player the SF 49ers are hoping to get back in time for Sunday’s bout against the Dolphins.

Running back Raheem Mostert, who suffered a knee injury in Week 2, also resumed practicing. He went down with his injury alongside fellow rusher Tevin Coleman, who is expected to remain out for at least the next couple of weeks. Still, Mostert’s absence has been felt, as No. 3 running back Jerick McKinnon has netted only 92 rush yards over the past two games combined.

San Francisco needs Mostert back almost as much as it needs Garoppolo, meaning those two players will join tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the field together.

Those three have also missed games this year because of injuries.

Hopefully, at least depending on how Garoppolo and Mostert finish up the week of practice, Shanahan and the Niners will have about as healthy a starting crop of offensive skill players as they’ve had all season.

The SF 49ers and Dolphins kick off on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.