If you're like me, you're ready for the quarterback drama to stop. Not even an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo's throwing hand, which requires surgery this off-season is putting a stop to the chatter.
If the 49ers still had backups like CJ Beathard or Nick Mullens, maybe a less than 100% Jimmy Garoppolo would be the better choice going in to a must-win game. But that's not the case. Rookie quarterback Trey Lance showed enough in the second half last week against Houston to instill confidence in him going forward.
Here you have orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nirav Pandya talking about Garoppolo's injury on 95.7 The Game.
In general, the degree to which pain, swelling, instability, and/or weakness (due to the thumb injury) impacts his throwing ability will be one of the key determining factors. Anything is possible. Regardless, I will be cheering on whichever QB is under center for the #49ers. https://t.co/dHiJq2R4Fo
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) January 5, 2022
According to head coach Kyle Shanahan it's just a grade 3 sprain with a chipped bone and it doesn't require surgery.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be limited today during practice, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
He threw on the side Tuesday and "it made him good enough to be limited today," Shanahan said.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 5, 2022
So, the question is still, do we listen to the doctors and surgeons or the head coach who has been known to downplay any and all injuries?
History has shown us that Garoppolo has been nothing short of a liability when trying to play through an injury. Since suffering an ankle injury in week 2 of the 2020 season, Garoppolo has attempted to play through an injury eight times.
In those eight games he went 60-98, 839 yards passing, three touchdowns and seven interceptions. That's only a 61% completion rate and almost one interception per game.
One of those games was Week 4 of this season against Seattle, when Garoppolo opted to sit out the second half after suffering a calf contusion on the opening drive of the game.
That was the game that the offense was only able to come away with seven points in that first half because they were unable to move the ball.
Last season against the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers rushed Garoppolo back from an injury, which lead to one of the worst performances of his entire career. Garoppolo went 7-17 for 77 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. That's a passer rating of 15.7.
Now the 49ers are dealing with an injury to Garoppolo's throwing hand and are holding out hope that he can go on Sunday against the L.A Rams to try and make it into the playoffs.
Was rookie quarterback Trey Lance that bad against the Houston Texans that Shanahan still thinks an injured Garoppolo gives them the best chance to win? Lance in the second half of that game on Sunday looked great.
Really, really good by @treylance09 for @49ers 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/NhNaDrCuIj
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 6, 2022
Shanahan clings to any type of competitive advantage. Holding out hope for a possible return of Jimmy Garoppolo is him doing just that. Shanahan is hoping the Rams won't know which quarterback to prepare for, as if they don't have team doctors who know better.
What we do know is that Lance needs time to find his rhythm in a game. We all saw that in the first half last week. Going with Garoppolo and possibly having to switch to Lance doesn't bode well for either player.
Make no mistake, a less than 100% Garoppolo is a liability to this team.