Could rookie Trey Lance's first NFL start be on the horizon? San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters before today's practice and provided an update on starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The veteran passer will not practice today during the team's first of three practices this week.
The 49ers coach added that Garoppolo has not been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, though.
"It's better today, which is good news," Shanahan said. "Not enough, though, to let him go [in practice], but also not enough to rule him out. The doctors still say [to] give him another day. He's got a chance [to play on Sunday], so we're still holding out for that."
Added Shanahan: "We're just waiting for the swelling to go down, so he has a chance to do it, and we can find out by him going out and practicing. It has gone down, which is a good sign compared to how he felt Sunday night, but not enough to let him go out there today."
Garoppolo also spoke with reporters today. The quarterback was asked if he might be battling through some discomfort should he play on Sunday.
"I'd be battling through it, probably," Garoppolo admitted. "We'll take it, like I said, day by day, but it hurts. But it is what it is at this point."
There is a strategic advantage to not revealing which quarterback might start this weekend. However, the 49ers coach vowed that he won't keep Garoppolo's status a secret.
"If Jimmy's ruled out, I'll rule him out," Shanahan said. "Once the doctors tell me there's absolutely no way, then I'll do that. It's always advantageous when you don't know what quarterback you're planning for, but if there's no chance, I'll do that."
Garoppolo suffered a calf injury during Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The quarterback believes the injury occurred on the 49ers' first offensive drive, and the discomfort grew throughout the first half. During halftime, Garoppolo realized he could not return to the field, forcing rookie Trey Lance to start the second half of the game.
"It happened in the first series," Garoppolo told reporters on Sunday. "I don't know exactly what happened. Tweaked the calf. It hurt initially. I thought I could keep trying to go, and it just kept getting worse and worse, trailing down into the Achilles a little bit."
Garoppolo, 29, is in his fifth season with San Francisco. The Niners pulled off a mid-season trade in 2017 to acquire the former New England Patriots quarterback. Garoppolo has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 925 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions through four games this season.
Veteran tackle Trent Williams left Sunday's game with what initially looked to be a serious shoulder injury. However, a Monday update from Shanahan revealed the injury to not be as serious as believed. However, Shanahan told reporters today that Williams will not practice today.
The following players also will not practice today.
- TE George Kittle (calf)
- DE Samson Ebukam (hamstring)
- CB K'Waun Williams (calf)
The following players will be limited.
- DT Javon Kinlaw (knee)
- RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder)
- CB Josh Norman (chest)
Shanahan was asked about Kittle's awkward hit and fall against the Seahawks, and if any further injury resulted.
"No," the coach responded. "I mean, I saw it. I think the whole stands saw it. Every player on the field saw it. I think Goerge for sure thought something happened, just like everyone did. And about a second-and-a-half later, he popped up and was good to go.
"It took me a couple of plays, and I was like, 'Is George still out there?' Because it looked pretty bad. I know it hurt and stuff, but that's not what's holding him back this week. It's the same stuff [from last week], so he's fortunate on that one."