Kyle Shanahan: Jimmy Garoppolo sprained shoulder vs. Cowboys, at fault for critical false start
Jimmy Garoppolo started Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Before it was over, he suffered a sprain to his right shoulder.
Now, he's dealing with both as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to face Aaron Rodgers and the top-seeded Green Bay Packers in Saturday's NFC divisional-round playoff game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan updated reporters on Garoppolo's status on Monday. He described the shoulder sprain as "slight" and expects Garoppolo to practice and play this week. Shanahan said that Garoppolo sustained the injury in the second quarter.
Garoppolo finished the game completing 16 of 25 pass attempts for 172 yards without a touchdown and an interception. He struggled with accuracy at times.
Shanahan blames Garoppolo for late false start
Garoppolo also made a critical mistake that gave the Cowboys a late chance to win the game. The mistake had nothing to do with his shoulder, but Shanahan called him out for it Sunday night.
The 49ers faced fourth-and-inches with 0:38 remaining and a chance to seal the victory with a first down. Instead, tackle Trent Williams was flagged for a false start, and the 49ers ended up punting.
On 4th & inches with 0:38 left in regulation, Trent Williams false start penalty#49ers 23 #Cowboys 17 Q4 pic.twitter.com/SYw0gjtFbt
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 17, 2022
Shanahan made clear that the false start wasn't Williams' fault, that Garoppolo called for a snap before Williams had a chance to get set after going in motion.
“We just shifted to an unbalanced,” Shanahan told reporters Sunday night. “It was on the silent count and it was quarterback sneak all the way. But Jimmy got really excited because of the look. Didn’t let Trent get set. He’s got to let him get set.”
Shanahan gives updates on Bosa, Warner
Garoppolo wasn't the only 49ers starter to suffer an injury Sunday. Pro Bowl pass rusher Nick Bosa left the game in the second quarter with a concussion while former All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner sustained an ankle injury.
Shanahan told reporters that he's "pretty optimistic" that Bosa will clear concussion protocol in time to play Saturday in Green Bay. He's also optimistic about Warner after testing revealed that his injury is a low-grade sprain and not a high-ankle sprain. Warner also expressed optimism on Twitter.
Sorry for the scare yesterday everyone, I appreciate everyone showing love and support for me and the fellas🙏🏾. We’ll be good to go. Huge win, onto the next.
— Fred Warner (@fred_warner) January 17, 2022
Shanahan said that the team will re-evaluate Warner's injury after Tuesday's practice.