Texans coach impressed with 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in joint practices

HOUSTON - An obvious benefit to the 49ers’ joint practices against the Texans: Jimmy Garoppolo can attempt passes on a different defense.

Garoppolo made a positive first impression in Wednesday’s two-hour session.

“Good player,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Really quick release, good leader. I was mostly over on our offensive field, but accurate guy.”

Garoppolo finished strong against the Texans starting defense, completing three passes to Marquise Goodwin, a gem to Richie James on the sideline and a touchdown throw to Pierre Garçon.

On that 13-yard scoring strike to Garçon, the Texans slowed their pass rush and afforded Garoppolo about seven seconds to survey the defense.

What made the play so impressive, however, was the throw’s arc and accuracy through the humid Houston air.

Although O’Brien and Garoppolo are ex-Patriots, they weren’t in New England together. O’Brien became Texans coach in 2014, the year Garoppolo got drafted in the second round (No. 62 overall).

“Really good guy, good person,” O’Brien said. “It’s what you’re looking for at that position, just guys that are easy to coach, that want to be coached, that are obviously good players.

“It makes it a lot of fun to coach that position.”

His coach, Kyle Shanahan, agrees. The 49ers paid Garoppolo to the tune of a five-year, $137.5 million contract after he went 5-0 last December in his starting debut.

In last Thursday night’s exhibition-opening win against Dallas, Garoppolo played only one series (3-of-6, 34 yards).

Thus, this work against the Texans in practice Wednesday and Thursday should be more beneficial, and it definitely will yield more playing time than Saturday night’s exhibition here.

Garoppolo’s favorite targets were Goodwin, Richie James and Trent Taylor. He had one pass intercepted when the intended receiver slipped.