Report: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo Diagnosed with Torn Ligament, Fracture in Thumb Injury
December 27, 2021
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been diagnosed with a right thumb UCL tear along with a fracture, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed Garoppolo suffered a ligament tear as well as a chipped bone.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier Monday that the veteran signal-caller had a right thumb injury, noting he would be reevaluated as the week progresses.
Nick Wagoner @nwagoner<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> HC Kyle Shanahan described QB Jimmy Garoppolo's injury as a right thumb sprain. Said it's just a feel thing and will see how he feels as week goes on.<br><br>Trey Lance will get starter reps until/if Garoppolo is ready to go.
His status for Sunday's contest against the Houston Texans is unclear.
Garoppolo has thrown for 3,494 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 14 games.
The 30-year-old suffered a calf injury in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, knocking him out of the game while also keeping him out in Week 5. The quarterback returned following the bye after missing one start.
It continued a trend of missed time for Garoppolo, who has only played one full 16-game season in his career. He missed 10 games because of ankle issues in 2020, while a torn ACL limited him to three games in 2018.
The latest injury could open the door for rookie Trey Lance to get another opportunity under center. In his only start this year, the third overall pick went 15-of-29 for 192 yards and one interception and ran for 89 yards in a Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
