Report: Colts were concerned about Jimmy Garoppolo's recovery

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Colts were concerned about Jimmy Garoppolo's shoulder recovery

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/21/22

The Indianapolis Colts were in need of a new starting quarterback after they agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders. They had been linked in rumors with San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as that franchise prepares to make 2021 rookie Trey Lance its new starter. Indianapolis had also been mentioned as a potential could-be buyer for former Cleveland Browns starter Baker Mayfield. Instead, Indianapolis surprised some in the NFL community on Monday by trading with the Atlanta Falcons for one-time NFL MVP Matt Ryan.

49ers general manager John Lynch unveiled at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month that Garoppolo needed surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder he suffered during a January playoff game. It was said at the time Garoppolo may not resume throwing until July, and ESPN's Dianna Russini reports that concerns about the 30-year-old's recovery timeline resulted in the Colts looking elsewhere for a QB1:

So why didn't the Colts go after Jimmy G?
Form what I was told, there were concerns over the shoulder injury. Not so much the medical side of it but the idea of missing time in the offseason with a new team. This was a red flag.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 21, 2022

Somewhat interestingly, former 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley, who played alongside Garoppolo, suggested weeks ago that his ex-teammate played "a little bit of the business game" by delaying his surgery until after February. It's also believed the Niners could keep Garoppolo on the roster for one more season, especially if some within the organization question Lance's abilities to notch wins on pro football's biggest stages next fall and during the subsequent postseason tournament.

With the New Orleans Saints reportedly bringing Jameis Winston back on a two-year contract, the Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers are seemingly the only remaining teams that would trade assets to acquire Garoppolo before training camp sessions open.

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