SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Jimmy Garoppolo wore a red ballcap, crouched on the 49ers sideline, and watched from afar as Trey Lance huddled the offense to start Sunday’s home opener.
Some 20 minutes later, Garoppolo had on his gold helmet and joined solemn teammates in consoling Lance, who was placed on a cart with a right-ankle injury that requires season-ending surgery Monday.
Just like that, the 49ers’ season took a dynamic yet almost predictable turn, far beyond Sunday’s 27-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
