Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is scheduled to take the first-team practice snaps at practice Wednesday and make his first start for the 49ers on Sunday.
Coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement that Garoppolo will start against the Chicago Bears. Garoppolo grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, approximately 30 miles from Soldier Field.
Rookie C.J. Beathard, who started the 49ers’ previous five games, sustained a knee contusion and hip strain late in Sunday’s game upon taking a low hit from Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett. It is uncertain whether Beathard will be fully cleared to practice this week.
On Monday, Shanahan said he wanted his starting quarterback to be identified before Wednesday’s practice because both players needed as much preparation time as possible.
“One is a rookie quarterback and the other one basically is also, with him just being here,” Shanahan said. “To give those guys the best chance to be successful, you want to give them all the reps, which still isn't enough reps. Any time you split those evenly, it's kind of a disservice to both.”
Garoppolo arrived at 49ers headquarters on Oct. 31 after the team acquired him in a trade with the New England Patriots for a second-round draft pick.
Garoppolo made just two starts in his 3 ½ seasons with the Patriots. On Sunday, he entered for the final three plays of the 49ers’ 24-13 loss to Seattle. He scrambled for 4 yards; completed an 8-yard pass to Aldrick Robinson on a fourth-and-6 play; then found Louis Murphy for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
