All signs are pointing toward San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance making his second NFL start and throwing his first in-game passes since Week 5. That's because regular starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, hasn't practiced at all this week due to a thumb injury.
Garoppolo didn't make an appearance during Monday's bonus practice. He tried to throw on Wednesday but couldn't. The same was true for Thursday. On Friday, Garoppolo still wasn't able to participate.
No Jimmy Garoppolo at the start of today's practice. It looks like Trey Lance will lead 4-4 practices this week.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 31, 2021
San Francisco will issue an official practice participation report and the initial game statuses for injured players later this afternoon.
The 49ers held out hope that the veteran might be available for this weekend's matchup against the Houston Texans, all while probably knowing that his chances were dwindling.
Garoppolo suffered his thumb injury during a Thursday-night contest in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. He stayed in the game but emerged with a torn ligament and a chipped bone in his right thumb. With just two regular-season games remaining, his future with the 49ers remains uncertain. For now, it looks like Lance's team for at least this weekend.
Lance has taken part in just 116 offensive snaps this season, with most of those coming in Weeks 4 and 5. The No. 3 overall pick out of North Dakota State has completed 25-of-48 attempts for 354 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception through his give game appearances and one start.