The San Francisco 49ers held a bonus Monday practice following the team's 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week. Their starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, was nowhere to be seen. That, of course, caused significant speculation on social media after the veteran's two-interception outing last Thursday night.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that Garoppolo's absence is not COVID-related.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Monday's practice after ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that Garoppolo missed practice due to an injury sustained against the Titans.
49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo did not practice today due to what sources believe is an an injury he suffered early during the Thursday night loss at Tennessee. His status for Sunday's game against Houston now is uncertain.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2021
"Jimmy Garoppolo had a right thumb injury," Shanahan clarified on a conference call.
The coach added that it is a thumb sprain that occurred at the end of the second quarter, and the team will re-evaluate Garoppolo on Wednesday.
"It didn't feel great today," Shanahan revealed. "He wasn't able to throw today, and we'll see how it is on Wednesday. Hopefully, it will get better."
Shanahan believes the injury may have contributed to the quarterback's interception early in the second half of the game against the Titans. He didn't eliminate the possibility that rookie Trey Lance might start on Sunday against the Texans. However, that all depends on Garoppolo's recovery.
Schefter later added that Garoppolo's injury might be more serious than what has been revealed.
49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo suffered what is thought to be "a more significant injury" than a right thumb sprain, per source.
The season of QB throwing hand injuries - see Russell Wilson, Taysom Hill - continues.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2021
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair briefly left last Thursday night's game after re-aggravating the elbow injury that forced him to miss Week 15. He returned to the game before exiting again in the fourth quarter with what the NFL Network broadcast reported as a knee injury. The linebacker did not return after that.
Shanahan said that Al-Shaair will miss the next two weeks due to a knee sprain.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky is on the reserve/COVID-19 list. No players that were a close-contact tested positive.
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) "has a chance" to play this weekend. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (ankle) is unlikely to be available. The postseason, assuming the 49ers make it, is more likely for the defensive back. Moseley may even have "a chance" in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Defensive tackle D.J. Jones will be limited this week due to an ankle injury.
Shanahan has not ruled linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) out for this weekend but has more hope for Week 18.