Is Jimmy Garoppolo playing in NFC Divisional Round? Latest injury update on 49ers QB ahead of Cowboys game

The 49ers host the Cowboys for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, but will Jimmy Garoppolo wind up taking the field on Sunday?

Back when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a serious foot injury in a Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins, there was a thought he might be healthy enough to return in time for the playoffs.

At least according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and the timeline appeared to point at the divisional round of the NFL playoffs as being the target weekend.

The divisional round is finally here, and the Niners are slated to host their longtime rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Will Garoppolo wind up playing, though?

Will Jimmy Garoppolo play for 49ers vs. Cowboys on Sunday?

With fellow quarterback Trey Lance also shelved with an ankle injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan had to turn to rookie quarterback Brock Purdy to hold the line once Garoppolo went down.

Purdy has thrived in the role, helping San Francisco continue its winning streak while also picking up his first playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round.

According to the latest injury report from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan, both Garoppolo and Lance have made notable progress with their respective injuries, but neither appears close to taking the field again.

Read More: One NFL expert predicts Cowboys will upset Niners in divisional round

Garoppolo, who was quarterbacking the 49ers’ Wild Card victory over Dallas a season ago, doesn’t seem poised to get the same chance to beat the Cowboys once again.

Instead, that’ll be Purdy’s responsibility, and the Niners will have veteran journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson backing him up.

San Francisco and Dallas kick off from Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 22, and the winner of that game will advance to the NFC Championship game to play either the New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles for the right to advance to the Super Bowl.