There were two brief scares during the San Francisco 49ers' playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings this past weekend. At one point during the game, defensive end Nick Bosa went down and remained there. Then, the Levi's Stadium crowd started chanting his name, and the rookie bounced up, threw his arms into the air, and enjoyed the moment.
"It was really cool," Bosa said after the game. "I was just trying to get my breath back, initially. Then they told me to stay down for a second.
"Then I heard the chants. I had to get up then. It was a really cool moment, though."
Then there was the moment that probably gave fans that sinking 2018-Week-3 feeling. Fans got a scare when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looked like he suffered an ankle or leg injury when a player landed on it, but the quarterback continued to play.
Garoppolo's coach, Kyle Shanahan, didn't initially know anything had happened to his quarterback.
"I found out because I was upset with him for being a little bit late to the next play," Shanahan said on Saturday. "Then, I realized that he was hurting. I was told after the game. But, he was fine. He was a little banged up on that play, but nothing after the game. It wore off, and he's good to go now."
Garoppolo spoke with reporters on Wednesday and was asked if, immediately following the play, he was concerned about his knee or ankle, and how long it would take for the pain to wear off.
"I didn't really know what it was because I didn't see the guy," Garoppolo responded. "Was throwing it and felt it all in my left leg. It annoyed me for a little bit, but it didn't take long to go away."
Garoppolo, as you know, saw his 2018 campaign end during Week 3 when he suffered a torn ACL at Arrowhead Stadium during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Luckily for Garoppolo and the 49ers, Saturday's injury wasn't anything serious. Did the quarterback initially fear that he may have once again injured his knee?
"Thankfully, I've got the brace on," Garoppolo said. "DonJoy protecting me."
DonJoy being the manufacturer of the brace the quarterback has worn all season. The decision to do so may have preserved the 49ers' Super Bowl aspirations.
And with that, the Niners Faithful let out a sigh of relief. The championship march continues.
