Getty Images
The 49ers were hit particularly hard by injuries this season, but maybe Josh Rosen has a bright side.
San Francisco signed Buccaneers training team No. 10 2018 this week to serve as a backup for CJ Beathard. At this point, Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to return from his ankle sprain in 2020. Nick Mullens, who started all six games, is out with an elbow injury.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said during an interview on Wednesday with KNBR that it was exciting for the 49ers to get a player who was willing to leave a team on the way to the postseason for one who is definitely not.
“And also to know that we have a guy here who was drafted in the first round, who has some skill with his arm, was exciting,” said Shanahan, through Dalton Johnson, of NBCSportsBayArea.com. “We were going to find someone and we need that body. And getting someone with your skill was really cool. “
Rosen started 13 games as a rookie for the Cardinals in 2018, compiling a 3-10 record as a starter before being replaced by Kyler Murray. Then he went 0-3 as a starter for Miami last year, with the Dolphins choosing Tua Tagovailoa in the spring.
Overall, Rosen completed 54.8 percent of his passes for 2,845 yards with 12 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. But that gives him the opportunity for a two-week test on a team that may still have questions about his longtime quarterback.
“What I’m seeing is the way I just said it in terms of what we need to bring [in] a guy. To be a guy who was chosen in the first round, just [two years ago], that’s a bonus, ”said Shanahan. “So, I’m excited to have a guy here with this skill that we’re going to look at.”
Rosen will be at least in family confines if he has to play, as the 49ers will face the Cardinals in Arizona in Week 16.