49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly out 'six months, at least' with broken foot

There's more information about the broken left foot that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered during Sunday's 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. 

NBC Sports' Peter King noted in his "Football Morning in America" column that Garoppolo will be out of action for "probably six months, at least." It was widely reported Sunday evening that Garoppolo will miss the remainder of the season, and this prognosis further complicates what was already an interesting situation. 

The 49ers were ready to move on from Garoppolo last offseason, but he underwent shoulder surgery in March and was essentially untradeable until he and the franchise agreed to a restructured contract in August that officially made him the backup to Trey Lance. Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, though, and Garoppolo played well enough in relief to win six of nine starts before Sunday's game and guide San Francisco to a 7-4 record. 

Before Garoppolo suffered what could ultimately prove to be a career-altering setback, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the 31-year-old and the organization "are open to him being back for the 2023 season." Rookie Brock Purdy is now atop the depth chart as the 8-4 49ers prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) this coming Sunday. 

"Garoppolo should be one of the most coveted free-agent QBs this offseason, set to cash in again," Rapoport said on Sunday morning. Last week, former quarterback and current NFL Network personality David Carr linked Garoppolo with a return to San Francisco and also with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

Per ESPN stats, Garoppolo becomes a spectator sitting sixth in the league among qualified players with a 103.0 passer rating on the campaign. He appeared in 11 total games and completed 67.2% of his passes for 2,437 yards with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions.