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.
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.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Schefter on 49ers TE George Kittle's Week 1 return: 'I don't think it's a given'
All signs continue to point toward San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle achieving his goal of returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Kittle is just six months removed from suffering a torn Achilles during San... -
Rams had eyes on De'Zhaun Stribling before 49ers drafted him
Many questioned the San Francisco 49ers' decision to use their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft—No. 33 overall—on former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, with some viewing the pick as a reach. However, the 49ers believed Stribling's combination of speed,... -
Where 49ers' Fred Warner landed in ESPN's off-ball linebacker rankings after injury
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner remains one of the NFL's most respected defensive players. Although he missed 11 games last season after suffering a dislocated and fractured right ankle, the All-Pro linebacker still earned the top spot in a prominent offseason... -
Writer urges 49ers to consider trading one player—at the right price
There was plenty of speculation surrounding San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. Many believed the team could trade Brock Purdy's backup before or during the 2026 NFL Draft. That never materialized, and Jones appears poised to remain Purdy's primary backup...