49ers inactives vs. Texans: Jimmy Garoppolo out, Trey Lance in
By Peter Panacy
49ers -12.5. 4-11. Sunday, Jan. 2. 8-7. 42. 4:05 p.m. ET. 10. CBS
The 49ers officially ruled out Jimmy Garoppolo for Week 17 versus the Texans, meaning Trey Lance will get his second start at quarterback.
So much for the slim hope the San Francisco 49ers would be able to play quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 17’s home bout against the visiting Houston Texans.
Garoppolo’s thumb sprain, suffered during last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, turned out to be too big a hurdle to overcome, as the veteran starter missed all week’s worth of practices, now fully opening the door for rookie quarterback Trey Lance to get his second ever NFL start.
Late on Saturday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Garoppolo would likely have offseason surgery to repair his damaged thumb, but there’s still a chance Jimmy G winds up returning in time for the Niners’ regular-season finale in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams:
49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a torn UCL in his right thumb, is not expected to Play vs Texans, but 49ers are optimistic he will be able to return for the regular-season finale vs. the Rams, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2022
A decision that could be made tougher in Lance performs well against a scuffling Houston squad on Sunday, though.
Lance was on the wrong side of a 17-10 loss in Week 5 to the Arizona Cardinals, his only other start this season.
49ers will still be shorthanded at linebacker with injuries
San Francisco listed the following players as inactive for Week 17:
- QB Jimmy Garoppolo
- LB Azeez Al-Shaair
- LB Dre Greenlaw
- S Talanoa Hufanga
- OL Colton McKivitz
- DL Maurice Hurst
- TE Tanner Hudson
Greenlaw has missed almost the entirety of the year with a groin injury, while Al-Shaair has been dealing with an elbow injury.
It’s likely the 49ers field a combination of linebackers Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Marcell Harris with Greenlaw and Al-Shaair out.
There is some good news, though, as rookie running back Elijah Mitchell returns from a three-week injury-related absence because of concussion and knee setbacks. The Niners have been fielding backup running back Jeff Wilson Jr. in Mitchell’s absence, as well as utilizing Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the backfield.
Still, welcoming Mitchell back should give a much-needed dimension to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
San Francisco and Houston kick off at 4:05 p.m. from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
dark. Next. 49ers vs. Texans: 4 bold predictions for Week 17 game