Five questions for 49ers vs. Broncos, including ‘How much Jimmy G?’
Jimmy Garoppolo and other 49ers starters are expected to make brief, exhibition-season debuts Monday night against the host Denver Broncos.
DENVER – Pay attention early to catch 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and other starters in their exhibition-season debut Monday night against the Broncos.
After keeping 31 players out of their exhibition opener, the 49ers will allow cameo appearances for their mainstays against the Broncos, who already served a greater purpose hosting the 49ers for joint practices Friday and Saturday.
Here are five questions needing answers:
How much does Garoppolo need to play?
It’s been 11 months since 49ers fans last saw Garoppolo in uniform, and he’s right on track to return from surgery on the anterior cruicate ligament in his left knee.
“He’s had a really good camp,” general manager John Lynch said. “I’m hesitant and reluctant to say it but his recovery from his knee has been like flawless. … That’s allowed him to focus on what he needs to do, and that’s play.”
Garoppolo will punch in his timecard for only “a little bit” of work Monday night, said coach Kyle Shanahan. Factoring into that workload is how safe Garoppolo will be against Von Miller & Co. Right guard Mike Person likely won’t play after straining his left foot Thursday.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2011-14, was impressed by what he saw from Garoppolo in joint practices. “They’re a very good offense,” Fangio said. “You can see that they’re in their third year there with (the system). … They’re running it very efficiently.”
That’s somewhat true, but there also have been a lot of hiccups. A one-and-done series by Garoppolo won’t solve that. It will, however, at least let him clear a mental hurdle and desensitize him in his comeback.
Which receivers make strides?
Rookies Jalen Hurd and Deebo Samuel electrified hopes of a stronger receiving corps thanks to their exhibition-opener plays against the Dallas Cowboys. Giving them more opportunities in this encore will be worthwhile.
However, keep an eye on a couple other receivers, too. First, Dante Pettis has had an “up and down” camp, Shanahan said, in terms of how he’s answering defenders’ physical challenges. Pettis’ stock is dropping some, so the 49ers want to see him ramp up his performances as the season approaches.
With Trent Taylor a week removed from foot surgery, Richie James’ roster bid keeps improving as not only a receiver but a punt returner. “He’s done a good job and stepped it up throughout camp,” Shanahan said of James, who dropped Nick Mullens’ opening pass in the exhibition opener.
Can Tarvarius Moore start at free safety?
When camp opened three weeks ago, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Moore is “by no means even close to being an NFL-ready safety by Week 1.” Well, a bunch of interceptions and first-team reps late, Moore is a legitimate candidate to start at free safety.
“We knew we had a playmaker and as soon as he’s looking at the ball that way and does not have his back turned, we’ve seen that play-making come alive,” Lynch said. “He still has a ways to go. But he’s starting to hone the details and alignments. Really excited where Tarvarius is going.”
Jimmie Ward still pencils out as the projected starter, but the 49ers are keeping him out of full-team action until next week, with a chance of debuting Saturday night at Kansas City. “At some point, you’ve got to go play football,” Lynch said.
The forgotten man in this race is Adrian Colbert, who opened last season as the starter but has fallen down the depth chart. A helmet-leading hit drew his ejection after seven snaps against the Cowboys.
How bad is the offensive line’s depth?
Team officials were relieved that Person only sustained a foot strain, but with him likely shelved, they’re shorthanded on reliable blockers. If Najee Toran starts as expected at right guard, this might be the biggest opportunity of his young career.
Weston Richburg (quadriceps) and Joshua Garnett (finger) remain out, so the 49ers will rotate all other linemen and hope for better results than against the Cowboys, when false start and holding penalties marred that opening night.
The Broncos defensive linemen dominated practices this week, so the 49ers front needs a better showing to help Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and presumably C.J. Beathard, who missed Tuesday with a sore thumb but worked the ensuing three practices.
Which pass rushers will shine?
One of the most impressive aspects about the 49ers defensive front is how physical and aggressive it’s been amid injuries.
“Even when you’re missing Dee Ford and (Nick) Bosa right now, we’re still making plays, we’re getting the rush, we still have the intensity,” said cornerback Richard Sherman, adding that the defense is “light years ahead of last year.”
DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas all figure to make their exhibition debuts, but that may not be the case with Ronald Blair (groin). Jeremiah Valoaga had two sacks against the Cowboys in a surprise showing, and he got tutored hard this week by defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
Kentavius Street’s comeback might be the most underreported story of training camp. Out all of his rookie year recovering from an ACL tear, he’s shown his much-ballyhooed strength throughout practices. Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock should keep an eye out for No. 95 on the edge.