Jimmy Garoppolo didn't sound overly confident that he would start on Sunday night when the San Francisco 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. The Niners still seek their first home win of the season, and Garoppolo didn't play particularly well (OK, it was really bad) during this past weekend's embarrassing 43-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Garoppolo had missed two games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain and didn't look completely healthy as he went 7-of-17 for 77 yards with two interceptions and a passer rating of 15.7.
"I really haven't thought that far ahead," Garoppolo responded when asked about his chances of playing in Week 6. "I guess we'll just take it day by day with the ankle and see how it goes."
Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice joined 95.7 The Game on Monday morning and shared that he doesn't believe Garoppolo was ready to play.
"They're going to protect Jimmy G because I don't think he was ready," Rice told Bonta Hill, Kate Scott, and Joe Shasky. "And the thing is, as a coach, you've got to know your players. I think the most important thing, as an athlete, we are so competitive. We want to get back on the football field. We're going to do whatever we have to do to try to get back out there. But if you're not ready, you shouldn't be on that football field."
Garoppolo felt that desire to be on the field with his teammates and remain in the game even after becoming clear that his ankle wasn't right.
"I wanted to be out there," Garoppolo told reporters. "I'm the quarterback of this team. It's my job to be out there and put this team in a position to be successful. Kyle made the decision at halftime. He's the head coach, and I followed it. It was just tough. I wanted to be out there with my guys battling."
Rice feels the 49ers might rest Garoppolo at least one more week and go with another quarterback against the Rams.
"I don't think Jimmy G is ready," Rice said. "He doesn't look comfortable back there. He's not really throwing good footballs down the field. The accuracy is not there. There are so many things going on. I don't think he was ready. Like I said, C.J. is going to be up this weekend. We've got to see what he can bring."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.