Jimmy Garoppolo injury update: 49ers QB has shoulder sprain, is expected to play vs. Packers

Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with another injury as the 49ers continue their pursuit of a Super Bowl title.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that Garoppolo suffered a “slight” sprain of his right (throwing) shoulder during the second quarter of the 49ers’ 23-17 victory over the Cowboys in the NFC wild-card round.

Shanahan said that the team expects Garoppolo to be ready not only for the team’s divisional round contest against the Packers on Saturday, but also for practice on Tuesday.

MORE: What happened on the final play of Cowboys vs. 49ers, explained

“He had to play through some pain and stuff, but he ended up checking out all right. Just a slight sprain and he should be good for practice,” Shanahan said.

Garoppolo was already playing through an injury this postseason. He tore a ligament in his right thumb in Week 16 against the Titans, which caused him to miss the team’s Week 17 game against the Texans. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Garoppolo will need offseason surgery to fix the tear.

MORE: Dean Blandino says official committed crucial mistake on Cowboys-49ers final play

Garoppolo played well enough for San Francisco to pick up the win Sunday, but he did struggle more in the second half. He completed just 5 of 11 passes for 39 yards in the third and fourth quarters and threw an interception that helped the Cowboys get back into the game. Overall, he connected on 16 of 25 attempts for 172 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

The signal-caller’s injury was one of several for the 49ers against the Cowboys. Defensive end Nick Bosa entered the concussion protocol and linebacker Fred Warner sprained his right ankle, Shanahan said. The team is hopeful that both will be able to play against Green Bay.

MORE: Divisional playoff matchups, schedule for AFC & NFC playoffs

The last time the 49ers played the Packers, Green Bay won 30-28 in Week 3. Garoppolo threw for 257 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. But San Francisco has, in recent years, been a roadblock to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Since Rodgers became the starter in Green Bay, the Packers are 0-3 against the 49ers in the playoffs; most recently, they lost 37-20 in the 2020 NFC championship game.