The Los Angeles Rams would probably appreciate knowing who the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback will be on Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't offer any hints before Wednesday's practice.
The safer bet is that rookie Trey Lance will get his third career start. Sunday is the most important game of the season for San Francisco, though. If the 49ers win, they are in the playoffs. If they lose, then it would take the Atlanta Falcons beating the New Orleans Saints to get in.
Jimmy Garoppolo missed Week 17 due to a torn ligament and chipped bone in his right thumb. He threw some footballs on Tuesday to evaluate where he is in his recovery.
"Yesterday, it felt good," Garoppolo said on Wednesday. "Woke up this morning after throwing, didn't feel so hot. Each day will be different."
The veteran quarterback wants to be out there with his teammates on Sunday and is fighting to do so. However, he understands that playing while compromised won't necessarily help the 49ers.
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"At the same time, you've got to be smart and think about what's going to be best for the team to win," Garoppolo admitted. "So you've just got to be smart with all of the decisions you make."
Lance or Garoppolo? There is no benefit in Shanahan revealing his starter yet, especially before Garoppolo has a chance to participate in practice. The veteran quarterback will be on the practice field on Wednesday but will be limited.
Shanahan knows there is an advantage to keeping an opponent in the dark, especially considering that Garoppolo and Lance are two very different types of quarterbacks. Garoppolo has the experience and the quick release, but Lance is a threat as a runner. That can help when a play breaks down and keep a defense guessing. The Rams not knowing which to plan for means they must plan for both.
"I haven't made [a quarterback decision] now, which is the truth," Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday. "And I probably will make it before the game starts, and I will not tell you guys when I do that, for all the reasons you just stated."
As for Wednesday's practice, Lance will get the majority of the reps while Garoppolo evaluates how much he can endure.
"We'll put Jimmy in on what he feels comfortable doing with where he's at today," Shanahan said. "Trey will get the rest. I'm sure Trey will get the majority, but we'll see how it is when [they are] out there. Mainly just communicating with them throughout the practice, through the individuals, through everything. Today won't be a full-speed practice, so it's not as challenging."
