49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo remains sidelined, increasing chances Trey Lance will start
Dec. 30, 2021 Updated: Dec. 30, 2021 7:10 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed his third straight practice Thursday and has not thrown a ball since the 49ers' 20-17 loss to Tennessee on Dec. 23.
John Amis/Associated Press
The odds of 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance making his second career start Sunday increased Thursday because Jimmy Garoppolo missed his third straight practice because of his injured right thumb.
Garoppolo, not in uniform, was observed speaking with team physician Dr. Tim McAdams at the start of practice before he exited into the weight room while his teammates were stretching. Garoppolo was wearing a wrap on his right hand after suffering a Grade 3 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament and a fracture in a loss at Tennessee on Dec. 23.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan maintained Garoppolo had a "chance" to play Sunday against the Texans when he spoke with reporters before Wednesday's practice.
At that time, Shanahan expressed optimism Garoppolo might be able to throw and participate in Wednesday's practice on a limited basis, but that didn't happen. Garoppolo said Wednesday that he'd yet to throw a pass since playing in the 20-17 loss to the Titans.
Deebo Jr.: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was in North Carolina on Monday for the birth of his first child, Tyshun Raequan Samuel Jr.
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Samuel said he is hoping to have "Samuel Sr." on the back of his jersey for Sunday's game against Houston.
"It was a great experience," Samuel said. "It's something you can't even explain. I actually didn't tear up, but I was just so happy just to see him, knowing everything went well."
Samuel did not participate in individual drills early in practice, but he was getting stretched during part of an extended warm-up period. Samuel, who missed a loss at Seattle on Dec. 5 because of a strained groin, has been a full participant in practice this week.
"I've been on flights back and forth for a while," Samuel said of his extra stretching. "So we're just making sure I'm good."
Linebacker returns: Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) practiced for the first time since he aggravated his core-muscle injury in a win over the Vikings on Nov. 28.
Greenlaw, who was limited, had surgery after the season opener and has played in just two games this season. Shanahan indicated this week that Greenlaw had a chance to return for the regular-season finale against the Rams on Jan. 9.