Kyle Shanahan dismisses talk of Jimmy Garoppolo giving Rams an edge as "overblown"
In Week 3, the Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers. This will be Jimmy Garoppolo's first game as part of the Rams' main roster, as he was suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Garoppolo played six seasons for the 49ers before he signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. He is now with the Rams, and many thought he could tell a lot about how his former team operates to help his new team prepare for Week 3.
However, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remains unfazed by the speculation. He believes things are "overblown" and the situation is similar to what happens whenever the 49ers go against Matt LaFleur's Green Bay Packers. He told the media:
"I think it’s way overblown, I mean, a little bit more from Mike LaFleur... that started last year, though. But no, not that much."
Shanahan and LaFleur worked together on coaching staffs in Houston, Washington, and Atlanta before both of them became head coaches.
Rams head coach Sean McVay also worked with Shanahan in the past, and the 49ers head coach boasts an impressive head-to-head record against McVay. Heading into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, Shanahan is 10-5 against McVay in regular season games, but the Rams head coach did own the lone playoff game that the two teams played against each other back in 2022.
Rams vs 49ers injury report for Week 3
The San Francisco 49ers are 1-1 coming into Week 3 and are expected to be without several key players against the Rams. As of now, these players are unlikely to play on Sunday:
- Christian McCaffrey - Calf: currently placed on IR
- Ricky Pearsall - Chest: still out
- Deebo Samuel - Calf: ruled out
- George Kittle - Hamstring: doubtful
Apart from the above three Nick Bosa and Charvarius Ward are also listed as questionable for the 49ers.
The Los Angeles Rams are 0-2 to start the season, and their injury situation is arguably the worst in the league. Here's their injury report for Sunday:
- Cooper Kupp - Ankle: ruled out
- Davis Allen - Back: ruled out
- Puka Nacua - Knee: currently placed on IR
- Jonah Jackson - Shoulder: currently placed on IR
- Steve Avila - Knee: currently placed on IR
- Joe Noteboom - Ankle: currently placed on IR
Apart from these players, the Rams have also listed Cobie Durant, Bobby Brown, and Joshua Karty as questionable for Week 3's game.