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The QB truly on display in Kansas City on Sunday was Patrick Mahomes, who had three more touchdowns to give himself an NFL record 13 throwing scores through three weeks, but Jimmy Garoppolo was having himself a nice day as well. Until he got injured while running to the sideline and did not return to the game after being carted off.
The Chiefs ended up winning the game, improving to 3-0, while the San Francisco 49ers fell to 1-2. But a bigger concern for San Francisco than the loss is the status of their $137 million quarterback.
#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo was carted off after suffering this left knee injury during the 4th quarter vs. the #Chiefs today. Garoppolo has been ruled out for the remainder of the game; backup QB C.J. Beathard is in the game. #NFL pic.twitter.com/ITBw743AsW
— Andersen Pickard (@andersenreports) September 23, 2018
There has almost immediately been fear of a serious injury for Garoppolo, with the Red Zone Channel already saying it could be season-ending.
The #49ers fear a serious knee injury for QB Jimmy Garoppolo, I’m told. That’s what it appeared, as well, a non-contact knee injury that saw him carted off.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2018
Garoppolo had gone 20-of-30 for 251 yards and two touchdowns prior to the injury, although much of that came after Kansas City had taken a 35-7 lead. C.J. Beathard came into the game in relief of Garoppolo, and if there is an extended absence, he will likely be the Niners starter moving forward. San Francisco went 1-4 with Beathard as the starter in 2017, and 0-6 with Brian Hoyer.
The 49ers play at the LA Chargers next week.