SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers started a second straight week of apply with Nick Mullens at quarterback instead of injured starter Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo missed apply Wednesday with a sprained ankle suffered in Week 2 and his standing for Sunday night time’s recreation towards Philadelphia stays doubtful.

Coach Kyle Shanahan stated Garoppolo should present in apply that he is wholesome sufficient to keep away from the move rush with a purpose to play Sunday.

”Anytime you are coping with an ankle, you would possibly really feel all proper once you’re standing there, however can you progress round and get into the awkward positions with out hurting your self? That is actually what we would should see,” Shanahan stated. ”It could be robust for us to see that and really decide that if he did not get into apply. So, hopefully can get on the market for no less than one dwell interval and we’ve these all the best way up till Friday. We have simply acquired to see that he is wholesome, however that will not be capable to occur if we won’t get him in apply.”

The Niners did get some excellent news on the harm entrance with No. 1 receiver Deebo Samuel having a 21-day apply window open and All-Professional tight finish George Kittle being a full participant.

Samuel hasn’t practiced all season and was positioned on injured reserve with a damaged foot suffered in casual offseason exercises. Samuel caught 57 passes for 802 yards and three TDs as a rookie final season and in addition made massive contributions within the operating recreation. He had 14 carries for 159 yards and three scores.

”He is wholesome, so we simply wish to see him on the market and get again within the swing of taking part in soccer,” Shanahan stated. ”It has been awhile since he has. … We simply have to see him undergo three days and what kind of form he is in and if he can shield himself, he’ll be on the market.”

Kittle missed the previous two video games with a sprained knee. He is likely one of the most essential items to San Francisco’s offense as each a dominating run blocker and the group’s largest risk within the passing recreation.

His 216 catches for two,945 yards are essentially the most ever for a good finish in his first three NFL seasons.

Having a wholesome Kittle and presumably Samuel will likely be a giant increase for whoever begins at quarterback. Mullens confirmed the dropoff is not too massive when Garoppolo is harm by throwing for 343 yards and a landing in a win final week towards the Giants in his first begin in almost 21 months.

Mullens has been very productive when he has performed, together with his 2,620 yards passing in 9 profession begins rating third most at that juncture of a profession, trailing solely Patrick Mahomes and Andrew Luck.

”I believe his confidence was positively up there,” proper deal with Mike McGlinchey stated. ”I believe this time round, he knew he is had some accomplishments on this recreation as a starter. He is had success as a starter for our soccer group. I believe it was simply getting again to what he does. Nick’s pretty much as good of a professional as we’ve on this constructing. He is at all times on his preparation. The best way that his thoughts works and the best way that he is in a position to suppose by the calls for of our offense is pretty much as good as anyone.”

Regardless of how nicely Mullens has performed, there isn’t any quarterback controversy. Shanahan stated there isn’t any state of affairs the place Mullens may play nicely sufficient to supplant a wholesome Garoppolo as starter.

”That is Jimmy’s group,” Shanahan stated. ”He is completed a hell of a job for us and when he is wholesome, he’ll be taking part in once more for us.”

NOTES: DE Dee Ford (again), LB Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps), CB Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), RB Raheem Mostert (knee), CB Okay’Waun Williams (hip) and TE Jordan Reed (knee) did not apply. … After a number of dangerous snaps on kicks final week, the Niners launched lengthy snapper Kyle Nelson and signed Taybor Peper for the function. … San Francisco additionally signed TE Daniel Helm from Tampa Bay’s apply squad to the energetic roster. … LB Mark Nzeocha (quadrieps) was positioned on IR. … The group signed OL Cody Conway and TE Charlie Taumoepeau to the apply squad and launched OL William Candy from the apply squad.

—

Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL