SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are ready for the start of the Jimmy Garoppolo era after announcing Tuesday that the franchise’s quarterback of the future will make his first start for the team this week.

Coach Kyle Shanahan met with Garoppolo and the former starter, C.J. Beathard, to tell them Garoppolo will make his first start for San Francisco (1-10) on Sunday at Chicago (3-8).

The Niners acquired Garoppolo on Oct. 31 from New England for a 2018 second-round pick to be the franchise’s long-term quarterback even though he had made only two starts in three-plus seasons for the Patriots.

After taking time to learn the new offense, Garoppolo made his San Francisco debut in Sunday’s 24-13 loss to Seattle after Beathard, the starter, left with injuries to his hip and knee with just over a minute left.

Garoppolo completed both of his passes, including a 10-yard scoring pass to Louis Murphy.

Beathard made five starts as a rookie after taking over for Brian Hoyer, who replaced Garoppolo as Brady’s backup in New England. Beathard completed 54.9 percent of his passes, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, and had four TDs and six interceptions for a 69.2 passer rating.

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Beathard was also sacked 19 times and hit numerous others while playing behind a patch-work line.

RUNNING BACK Darren McFadden announced his retirement two days after his release by Dallas.

McFadden posted on Twitter that he made the decision “not with sadness or without further opportunity, but with a couple of days to reflect on how I feel and where I am at this stage in life.”

McFadden, 30, who was in his 10th season, was an afterthought for the Cowboys even after the 2016 NFL rushing leader, Ezekiel Elliott, started his six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.

OAKLAND RECEIVER Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib had their suspensions reduced to one game on appeal.

Two appeals officers, Derrick Brooks and James Thrash, cut down the two-game suspensions after hearings. Brooks heard Crabtree’s case and Thrash heard Talib’s appeal.

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The fight during Oakland’s 21-14 victory was a continuation of a dispute that started last season when Talib ripped Crabtree’s chain off during the season finale. Crabtree missed the first game between the teams this year but went after Talib early Sunday.

RAIDERS: Cornerback Antonio Hamilton returned to practice and will be the team’s second player eligible to come off injured reserve.

The move meant longtime kicker Sebastian Janikowski won’t be eligible to come back from a back injury and might have played his last snap with the Raiders. Janikowski was the team’s first-round pick in 2000 and is in the final year of his contract.

Hamilton was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 14 with a knee injury. He will be eligible to play Dec. 10 against Kansas City. The Raiders have three weeks to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the season.

THE BALTIMORE game Dec. 10 at Pittsburgh will remain in prime time.

Despite speculation that the game could be “flexed” to the afternoon in favor of the matchup between Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL said there would be no change with NBC’s scheduled “Sunday Night Football” matchup.

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The decision isn’t all that surprising given that the Steelers (9-2) and Ravens (6-5) are in playoff position and still have one of the NFL’s top rivalries.

BEARS: Chicago waived receiver Tre McBride.

Claimed off waivers Sept. 3, McBride appeared in eight games for Chicago and had eight catches for 144 yards. He had 92 yards receiving in a loss at New Orleans on Oct. 29. In three seasons with Tennessee and the Bears, McBride has 10 receptions for 152 yards.

DOLPHINS: Defensive end William Hayes was placed on injured reserve because of a back injury.

Hayes, a 10-year veteran, played in 10 games off the bench this season. He made 19 tackles and was the Dolphins’ most effective run-stopping end.

Miami acquired Hayes in March in a trade with the Rams that also involved low draft picks.

GIANTS: New York signed defensive backs Brandon Dixon and Darryl Morris.

Dixon was signed off the practice squad. Morris, who has played for the 49ers, Texans and Colts, was released Oct. 3 by Indianapolis. Dixon played in 14 games with Tampa Bay in 2014.


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