Divisional Playoffs NFL Injury Report: Jimmy Garoppolo, Jauan Jennings, Tony Pollard, and Mecole Hardman. Let’s take a deeper dive to learn who these players are.
Divisional Playoffs: Jimmy Garoppolo, Jauan Jennings, Tony Pollard, and Mecole Hardman update
SUMMARY
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Jauan Jennings
- Tony Pollard
- Mecole Hardman
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1. Jimmy Garoppolo
Fox’s Jay Glazer reported this weekend that the 49ers are hoping to get Jimmy Garoppolo back for the playoffs. However, if he does return, his role on the team will be as the backup quarterback.
Jimmy Garoppolo is eager to get back but Brock Purdy will remain as the starter. The @49ers flew out the @Seahawks groundskeeper, Sean Vanos, to help with the wet field conditions in Santa Clara. @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/gNUHrxEkdt
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 14, 2023
The 49ers’ third-string wideout has sprained his ankle and is questionable for Sunday’s game. In the Wild Card round, Jennings was on the field for 42% of the team’s offensive snaps and finished with two receptions for 41 yards.
#49ers injury report coming out of Saturday’s game via coach Kyle Shanahan:
WR Jauan Jennings (ankle) day to day.
DE Samson Ebukam (ankle) day to day.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 16, 2023
See more: San Francisco will bench Jimmy Garoppolo if he returns for the playoffs
3. Tony Pollard
Pollard is ESPN’s projected backup for Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas for the third straight year. Despite being a “backup,” Pollard’s role has grown each of the last three seasons, culminating in a top-30 fantasy season in 2021.
Despite having a low number of touches (he was 36th at RB), Pollard’s 5.5 YPC and 2.7 YAC were both top five, and his 87% catch rate and 7.5 YPT were both top 10.
The 25-year-old isn’t worth starting on his own (he only had one top-15 finish all of last season), but he’s a top-tier backup plan who would become an RB1 if Elliott were to get hurt.
4. Mecole Hardman
UPDATED: January 18th, 1:45 PM ET – The fact that Hardman did not participate in Wednesday’s practice has raised legitimate concerns about his availability for Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup between the Chiefs and Jaguars. In response to the situation, Hardman tweeted, “Marathon > Sprint.”
Marathon > Sprint
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) January 18, 2023
Hardman was listed as questionable for the Chiefs’ season finale in Week 18, but he was ultimately declared out of the game. Considering the Chiefs no longer had a first-round bye, he had an extra two weeks to get healthy. Hardman hasn’t been seen since Week 9, so even if he makes it back for the playoffs, it will be in a diminished capacity.
#49ers injury report coming out of Saturday’s game via coach Kyle Shanahan:
WR Jauan Jennings (ankle) day to day.
DE Samson Ebukam (ankle) day to day.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 16, 2023