49ers Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo Expected to Have Offseason Surgery; Unlikely vs. Texans

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will likely miss Sunday's Week 17 game against the Houston Texans because of a thumb injury and is expected to undergo surgery in the offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Rapoport reported that "sources say that Garoppolo is expected to have surgery following the season to repair the torn ligament and chipped bone in the thumb on his throwing hand. In rare times, these types of injuries can heal on their own, but sources say this is not the type that can. He is expected to make a full recovery."

Rookie Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, is expected to make his second start. Nate Sudfeld will slide into the backup role.

Garoppolo previously missed the 49ers' Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a calf injury. Lance, who'd thrown two touchdowns in relief the prior week against the Seattle Seahawks, finished without a TD in that contest.

The Niners' starter has put together a solid, albeit unspectacular, year. He's completed 68 percent of his throws for 3,494 yards with 19 passing TDs and 10 interceptions. He's added three rushing scores across 14 appearances.

His latest absence comes as San Francisco attempts to hunt down a playoff berth in the NFC. The team holds a wild-card spot with an 8-7 record.