49ers HC Kyle Shanahan: 'Way outside chance' Jimmy Garoppolo returns this season

Fans hoping quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could possibly save the San Francisco 49ers during the postseason may want to pump the brakes.  

"Still going to be a big recovery," San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said about Garoppolo on Wednesday, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "There’s that way outside chance late in the playoffs but just an outside chance. Not real optimistic about it but never rule it out." 

It was reported Tuesday that Garoppolo won't require surgery to repair the broken foot he suffered in this past Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins and that the 31-year-old could possibly return to action in roughly seven-to-eight weeks. ESPN's Nick Wagoner pointed out the NFC Championship Game is eight Sundays from now. 

Garoppolo resumed his starting duties with San Francisco after Trey Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, and the veteran helped the club reach a 7-4 record before the Dolphins game. 

Rookie Brock Purdy, the last pick of this year's draft, completed 25-of-37 passes for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception en route to guiding the Niners to a 33-17 victory over Miami. Purdy is on track to start when San Francisco hosts the 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. 

The Niners signed veteran journeyman Josh Johnson off the Denver Broncos' practice squad to serve as Purdy's backup.