NFC Notes: 49ers, Panthers, Seahawks

49ers

A week after getting benched after an attempt to gut through an ankle injury against the Dolphins, 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo rebounded in a big way against the Rams. Garoppolo started the game 14-16 passing and finished with three touchdown passes in a 24-16 win. After the game, he acknowledged he felt much healthier. 

“Yeah, the ankle’s definitely, it’s made improvements this week,” Garoppolo said via a team transcript. “So, yeah, I could lean on it a little bit more, was able to move in the pocket a little bit, just was able to be myself really this week. It started with a good week of practice and got to thank the medical staff for doing their part.”

Panthers

• Per Myles Simmons of the team website, Panthers HC Matt Rhule said he’s not sure if the team will get RB Christian McCaffrey back this week, next week or the week after: “I’m hopeful we get him back soon. I’d love to have him.”
• The Panthers worked from home Monday after an unconfirmed positive COVID-19 test. (Simmons)

Seahawks

• The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that when the Seahawks met with second-round DE Darrell Taylor in March, they were comfortable with his timeline following leg surgery. However, Taylor suffered a setback in the ensuing months and developed a knee injury which has prevented him from playing. 
• Dugar isn’t sure that the Seahawks will be able to be aggressive at the trade deadline given they have just five picks in 2021. 
• Dugar expects WR Josh Gordon to work ahead of David Moore and Phillip Dorsett as the No. 3 receiver when he’s eventually reinstated. 
• Dugar says the Seahawks are unlikely to re-sign RB Chris Carson for anything close to the $12 million a year several backs signed for this year, and he adds Carson is unlikely to give much of a hometown discount to Seattle.