Jimmy Garoppolo finally takes practice field for Raiders after missing all of OTAs and minicamp

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Jimmy Garoppolo had trouble falling asleep Tuesday night, excited about the opportunity to step onto the practice field the next morning as the Las Vegas Raiders opened training camp.

He didn't get that chance in organized team activities and minicamp due to a broken left foot suffered last season that put Garoppolo's future at least somewhat in question.

Garoppolo, who signed a free-agent contract after quarterbacking the San Francisco 49ers the previous 5 1/2 years, was cleared Sunday to return.

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Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws during the first practice of the teams training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 26, 2023 in Henderson, Nevada.  (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"It was really cool getting out there with the guys, trying to get in that rhythm," Garoppolo said. "It's a lot of new stuff for me, but I enjoyed it. It's fun."

Fun and a little feisty, too.

Before practice, Garoppolo talked trash to one of the NFL's top quarterback tormentors in defensive end Maxx Crosby. What the QB said stayed between them, but Crosby loved the interaction.

"He's a competitive dude," Crosby said. "He’s a dog. I’m not just saying that because it's my quarterback. Certain guys are dogs and he’s definitely one of them."

Garoppolo also is a winner — at least when healthy. He went 38-17 with the 49ers since joining them at midseason in 2017, taking them to two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.

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