Jimmy Garoppolo has experienced yet another injury setback in his attempt to become a starting NFL quarterback.
According to a report from The Athletic, Garoppolo underwent surgery in March — after signing with Las Vegas — to address a foot injury he suffered during the 2022 season. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said the team was already aware of the injury and ensuing surgery prior to his signing.
McDaniels also said he expects Garoppolo to return in time for the start of the 2023 NFL season, even as he misses the team's OTA practices:
"We don’t play a game for 100 days," McDaniels said (via The Athletic). "Everything that’s happened since we signed Jimmy, we knew ahead of time. … Certainly had an awareness of all of it. Our preference is not to push it and rush anybody back at this point in time."
MORE: Davante Adams explains why he doesn't see eye-to-eye on Jimmy G-led offense
Here's everything you need to know about Garoppolo's injury and his timeline to return:
When was Jimmy Garoppolo injured?
According to The Athletic, Garoppolo suffered the injury to his left foot on Dec. 6, 2022 while playing against the Dolphins. That injury essentially knocked Garoppolo for the remainder of the season, though San Francisco did keep open the possibility of a return if the 49ers made the Super Bowl.
The team ultimately lost in the NFC championship game on Sunday, Jan. 29 to the Eagles, making it a moot point.
MORE: What to know about NFL approving emergency QB rule for 2023 season
What is Jimmy Garoppolo's injury?
According to The Athletic, the 49ers feared at the time Garoppolo suffered his injury that it was a Lisfranc fracture. Team doctors determined it was a different fracture that didn't require surgical repair, giving him a two-month recovery timeline.
Following the season, Garoppolo — then a free agent — signed with the Raiders in mid-March. He reportedly agreed to terms with the team on March 13, but did not sign the contract with the Raiders when he traveled to Las Vegas on March 16. He signed a day later, declining to say why he hadn't signed earlier. The day prior, he said he had "no worries" a deal would get done."
"I mean, it was just honestly just talking, language, things like that," he said at the time. "But, no, both sides I think knew what we wanted to get done, so it was very collaborative, actually. It was just us coming together."
MORE: Raiders schedule 2023: Dates & times for all 17 games
When will Jimmy Garoppolo return?
McDaniels seemed to indicate Garoppolo would be able to play in time for the team's season opener at the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 10. That said, Garoppolo's injury history does raise some concern as to his durability for 2023.
The same injury that knocked the Raiders quarterback from the Dolphins game kept him out for the remainder of the 2022 season. He has missed 31 regular-season games since being traded to San Francisco and suffered three season-ending injuries, including a torn ACL in 2018 and broken ankle in 2020.
He also had shoulder surgery in the 2022 offseason that greatly affected his free agent status following the completion of the 49ers' season.
Jimmy Garoppolo contract details
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.5 million deal with the Raiders, bonuses included. It includes $33.75 million in guarantees.