The San Francisco 49ers are increasingly optimistic that their starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might return for the Week 5 clash against the Arizona Cardinals. According to the team’s head coach Kyle Shanahan, Garoppolo’s injury is not as bad as it initially seemed, and there is a chance he plays on Sunday.
Garoppolo got hurt in a 21-28 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4, being forced to exit the game with a bruised calf at halftime. It appeared at first that he might be in for a longer spell on the sidelines, but an MRI test on Monday showed there is no major reason for concern.
“It does mean he has a chance,” Shanahan told reporters when asked about Garoppolo. “It wasn’t as bad as what we thought it might have been. He’s in a lot of pain, still sore. Hopefully, by the time he comes in Wednesday, if it’s getting better, then he’ll have a good chance. If it hasn’t improved at all by Wednesday, it will probably be a little bit longer.”
If Garoppolo can’t play against the Cardinals, the 49ers will be forced to turn to rookie Trey Lance as a starter under center. In the second half of the Seahawks’ game, Lance completed nine out of 18 passes attempted while throwing for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 41 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Shanahan also offered an update about the Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams, who was dealing with a right shoulder injury.
“There is some fluid in there and stuff so there are some issues with it, but that’s something, hopefully, he can recover here before Sunday,” he explained.
