NFL ROUNDUP More news

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

Garoppolo will start against Chicago Bears

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.

The San Francisco 49ers will start Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback this week.

The 49ers said coach Kyle Shanahan met with his quarterbacks Tuesday to tell them Garoppolo will make his first start for San Francisco (1-10) this weekend 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.

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

Garoppolo completed both passes, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy.

NFL SUSPENSIONS

WR Crabtree, DB Talib will miss one game each

ALAMEDA, CALIF.

Oakland receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib had their two-game suspensions reduced to one game after appeal hearings on Tuesday.

Derrick Brooks heard Crabtree’s case and James Thrash heard Talib’s appeal, and both decided to reduce the two-game bans issued Monday by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan.

The fight during Oakland’s 21-14 win on Sunday 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 didn’t wait long to seek revenge.

Crabtree punched Denver cornerback Chris Harris Jr. while blocking him on the first play of Oakland’s second drive. He then aggressively blocked Talib on a running play and drove him to the ground on the Broncos’ sideline on the following play, starting the brawl.

Talib once again ripped Crabtree’s chain off his neck. He also took Crabtree’s helmet off and threw it, as well as exchanging punches with Crabtree.

Both players are eligible to return on Monday. Crabtree will miss Sunday’s game against the New York Giants but now will be eligible to play in a key AFC West showdown against Kansas City on Dec. 10. Talib will have to sit out this weekend’s game against Miami.

The suspension is costly to the Raiders (5-6), who are one game out of a playoff spot and now will be without a starting receiver for one game. Crabtree is tied for the team lead with 42 catches and has 502 yards receiving and a team-high six touchdowns.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Running back McFadden announces retirement

DALLAS

Running back Darren McFadden has announced his retirement two days after his release by the Dallas Cowboys.

McFadden posted on Twitter on Tuesday 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.”

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

McFadden was the fourth overall pick by Oakland in 2008 out of Arkansas. He finished with 5,421 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns. He had two 1,000-yard seasons, including 2015 when he led the Cowboys in his first season with them and finished fourth in the NFL with 1,089 yards.

Associated Press