This latest report probably won't surprise anyone, given how Saturday's roster moves played out for the San Francisco 49ers. The team didn't activate Nate Sudfeld from the practice squad, as it did before Week 17, to back up rookie quarterback Trey Lance. That suggested that the Niners are confident that Jimmy Garoppolo will be suited up for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams and likely serve as the team's starter.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that there is a "strong lean" that Garoppolo will indeed start against the Rams. The veteran quarterback suffered a torn ligament and chipped bone in his right thumb during the 49ers' Week 16 loss to the Tennessee Titans. San Francisco listed him as "questionable" for the Week 18 regular-season finale.
Garoppolo was inactive for last weekend's game against the Houston Texans.
There's a "strong lean" that 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who is listed as questionable for Sunday due to a torn ligament in his right thumb, will start vs the Rams, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2022
On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan opted not to reveal his starting quarterback, feeling there was no advantage in doing so. In fact, the advantage probably lied with leaving everyone in the dark about his plans, especially when most believed the betting favorite to start Week 18 was Lance at the start of this past week.
"I think you guys understand why you don't announce it," Shanahan said on Friday. "But regardless, especially with Trey playing last week, we've got two guys here with some experience that our team feels good with, and we'll see how it plays out."
The Rams are currently 3.5-point favorites over the 49ers. The two teams are scheduled to kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT on Sunday from SoFi Stadium. A San Francisco win or a New Orleans Saints loss will clinch a playoff berth for the Bay Area team.