49ers Reward Ex-Eagles QB With Championship Game Promotion

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Nate Sudfeld was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad.

The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation has been the center of debate all season, with fans backing either Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance.

But it’s another 49ers quarterback who made headlines this weekend, catching the eye of 49ers fans and Philadelphia Eagles fans. The 49ers announced the elevation of quarterback Nate Sudfeld from the practice squad to the main roster for Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers also elevated linebacker Mark Nzeocha from the practice squad.

With Lance on the sideline and Garoppolo seemingly healthy enough to play, is there a chance Sudfeld, who saw limited action in three seasons with the Eagles, sees the field Sunday? Probably not. In fact, Sudfeld may have hit the main roster, but there’s a good chance that he’s not even active.

When NBC Sports reporter Matt Maiocco first wrote about the roster moves from Saturday, he added a note about Sudfeld’s activation, saying that the 49ers “likely elevated Sudfeld to reward him with a game check.” Maiocco wrote that Sudfeld is unlikely to be active for the game itself.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan stuck with the 30-year-old Garoppolo, who started 15 games this season, leading the team to a 9-6 record in those games (the 49ers were 10-7 overall, finishing in third place in the NFC West). He passed for 3,810 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.

Sudfeld’s Journey to Santa Clara

After a standout senior season at Indiana in which he threw 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 3,573 passing yards, Sudfeld was drafted by the Washington Football Team in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Washington cut him in September 2017.

That release ended up leading Sudfeld to a Super Bowl ring. The Eagles got Sudfeld off of waivers, and he rode the bench as the third option to Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. In one appearance during the 2017 season, Sudfeld went 19 for 23 with 134 yards passing. Sudfeld became the backup to Foles after Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14. Foles went on his legendary run, and the Eagles won the 2018 Super Bowl.

Sudfeld has never started a game in the NFL, appearing four times over his three seasons in Philadelphia. After becoming a free agent in 2021, the 49ers brought Sudfeld in on a one-year contract before he was eventually cut and then placed on the practice squad, where he has spent the majority of the season.

Garoppolo Shares Updates About His Injuries

On January 28 Garoppolo sat down with local media members to preview the game and update his status. He said his shoulder and hand issues aren’t much of a problem at this point.

“It feels great,” Garoppolo said. “Yeah, arm’s ready to roll.”

Which is encouraging to see for Niners fans, but Garoppolo was asked a follow-up question about his thumb, which may require surgery after the season. Again, Garoppolo did not appear bothered.

“I think we’ll approach that after the season a little more,” Garoppolo said. “But yeah, it’s holding up for right now. It’ll be all right.”

The 49ers won’t get a 100% healthy Garoppolo in the NFC Championship or potentially the Super Bowl, but the better he feels, the better San Francisco will feel.