How ex-Viking McKinnon has helped Jimmy G, 49ers without playing a game in 2 years
SANTA CLARA — Jerick McKinnon got poached from the Minnesota Vikings two years ago to become a dynamic factor for the 49ers’ offense.
A Sept. 1, 2018 knee injury wrecked the initial plan. McKinnon became a ghost, not just last season but this one.
In between those lost seasons, however, McKinnon did something that shouldn’t go unnoticed: he spurred along Jimmy Garoppolo in their respective recoveries from anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
McKinnon, more than anyone, can appreciate Garoppolo’s ability to start every game and lead the top-seeded 49ers into Saturday’s playoff opener – against McKinnon’s former team, the Vikings.
“The work he put in, it’s showing,” McKinnon said. “Everything he’s been able to do, coming back from the injury, leading this team to the record that we have now, and be as efficient as he has, it speaks for itself.”
Garoppolo’s passed for 3,978 yards (fourth-most in 49ers history) and 27 touchdowns this season, and he pulled off fourth-quarter comebacks in four of the 49ers’ 13 wins. He’s grown more confident in his rebuilt left knee with nifty scrambles, when needed.
“Somewhere along the way, he hit his groove, and once that happened, it was a wrap,” McKinnon said. “He’s been good the whole season. The preseason, that was a chance to get the butterflies out from having the year off.”
Back on May 24, McKinnon and Garoppolo spoke at a 49ers meet-and-greet with new season-ticket holders. They represented the offense’s bright future, and their ACL comebacks were going well.
“We brought McKinnon here because he was gonna be a huge part of the offense,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said Aug. 7.
The 49ers paid huge stakes for McKinnon, a Vikings part-time starter who’s since hauled in some $15 million from his four-year deal. That contract likely must be reworked if he’s going to attempt a 2020 comeback with the 49ers. Of his $6.5 million salary next season, $2.6 million becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster April 1.
McKinnon’s never suited up in his No. 28 uniform outside of three carries for minus-4 yards in the 2018 exhibition opener. His four-year tenure with the Vikings saw him excel in a part-time role (14 starts in 58 games), and he got more opportunities in his 2017 contract year once rookie Dalvin Cook sustained a torn ACL.
McKinnon complemented 1,918 rushing yards with 984 receiving yards and a total of 12 touchdowns in his Vikings tenure.
Cashing in on that dual-threat ability had the 49ers inspired for his 2019 possibilities, and his rehabilitation inspired Garoppolo.
“Jet was about three weeks ahead of me, so always had some tips for me on, ‘I did this’ or ‘Try doing this’ type of thing,” Garoppolo said in April. “It’s encouraging being with someone, especially Jet. The guy is so positive every day.”
Whereas Garoppolo’s rehabilitation focused on footwork and drop-back movement, McKinnon’s centered on his running and cutting ability.
McKinnon’s comeback went awry in August. He gained medical clearance a week into camp, but after two light practices, he got shut down. A platelet-rich plasma treatment followed. After three weeks off, he practiced Aug. 27, but four days later, he headed for injured reserve and follow-up surgery.
His ACL and meniscus were fine, but McKinnon said he required more work on the ACL graft from his patella, as well as the shaving of a bone spur. It went so well McKinnon sent a Christmas text to Dr. Tim McAdams, the 49ers’ medical director, thanking him for what finally felt like a new knee.
McKinnon did some individual conditioning and running on a side field last week while the 49ers began playoff preparations – without him.
“I’m feeling good,” McKinnon said.
So is Garoppolo and the 49ers’ playoff hopes.