San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo eager to return

SANTA CLARA

Jimmy Garoppolo throws, drips, cuts, jumps and raises weight with his 49-year-old teammates as the off-season fitness program kicks off this week.

One quarter of the franchise remains optimistic about its recovery from a ruptured left ACL in Kansas City last September. But San Francisco is still going around the start of the pencil training camp for his possible return to the full team.

"We'll see," Garoppolo said Wednesday. "A lot of time from here to here. But yes, that's the goal. "

Garoppolo has benefited from a rehabilitation partner. Jerick McKinnon has been with him at the team's headquarters for most of the off season. Both were in the weight room and on the field, where Garoppolo was seen making passes to the versatile half.

McKinnon had his ACL tear a week before the start of the season. Garoppolo arrived in the third week against the leaders.

"He always had advice for me and," I did, try to do that sort of thing, "said Garoppolo. "It's just encouraging to be with someone, especially Jet. This guy is so positive every day, how not to be in a good mood with him?

What is waiting for Garoppolo, except to return to games where he can get by with his contract of $ 137.5 million over five years?

"I just think of going through a full practice," he said. "I was on the field during last year's training and on the sidelines of games, but it's different when you're not around, talking to guys. You keep interacting with guys, but the feeling is different. So, I think the interaction between me and linemen or guys of all abilities, no matter what that is, speaks trash to the defense. … I am excited to come back.

Buckner is not worried about contract negotiations

The 49ers and DeForest Buckner had preliminary discussions about a long-term contract extension, Buckner confirmed on Wednesday, but there does not seem to be any agreement at the moment.

This is not necessarily bad news for the negotiations. This is a good sign that Buckner is participating in the volunteer portion of the post-season program.

"Honestly, it's very early," Buckner said. "It is only very early in the process that I am eligible for a new contract for the fourth year. I'm really looking forward to being here with the team in the long run. And I know Jed (York) and John (Lynch) and Paraag (Marathi) and all, Kyle (Shanahan), they all know it. They know what I can bring to the table and what I bring to the team. There is no hurry. "

Chances are likely that Buckner will play in his rookie contract in 2019 and both parties will return to the bargaining table for the next season, before his fifth-year option comes into play.

Meanwhile, the 49ers could recruit a player at Buckner's position with choice number 2 on April 25. Alabama's defensive tackle Quinnen Williams should be ranked in the top five, and San Francisco has visited Williams in the combined after his professional day and an official visit to the team's headquarters.

Buckner did not seem to worry about the idea that the 49ers might be interested in appointing a fourth homer line player in the first round since 2014.

"If we add Quinnen, he'll be another big guy, a dominant guy. I think there are only big football players in the group, "said Buckner.

Buckner said on how the playing time would be divided between Williams, Buckner, Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead:It's the job of coaches, it's not my job. "

Kittle is accustomed to the star, played a large part of 2018 injured

No 49er had a more promising hike in 2018 than George Kittle, who broke an NFL record for rushing yards by a close finish with 1,377. The breakout campaign led to his first appearance at the Pro Bowl and many other obligations that have taken time as he enters his third season.

"There are many more things on the schedule, whether it's Pro Bowl or some appearances in Atlanta (during the Super Bowl)," said Kittle. "It was just funny stuff. When you play well, you have the opportunity to do something else. People want to see you. I had fun doing this, I enjoyed it, I met a lot of nice people. "

Kittle also revealed that her record season had been beaten. He had a rib cartilage fracture at the start of the overwhelming 1 November victory against the Raiders. The pain does not stop him from participating in one of his biggest games of the season, a 71-yard touchdown pass and a run at Oakland High School.

"I really expected it to be worse than that," Kittle said. "I thought security was going to smoke me. But luckily he did not do it.

Kittle said he was wearing a pair of thick pads along his ribs for the rest of the season after the injury. He stated that he was touched and had significant pain with Giants and Buccaneers. But this illness did not stop Kittle from starting the 16 games.