With their win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, the San Francisco 49ers punched their ticket to the NFC Divisional Round. Of course, they will be traveling to Lambeau Field to take on the top seeded Green Bay Packers. This matchup will be the ninth in a long history of playoff games between the two teams. On Monday, the day after the 49ers defeated Dallas, both the Packers and San Francisco released important injury updates.
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo Has a Sprained Shoulder
In a press conference today, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that his starting quarterback suffered a shoulder sprain against the Cowboys.
This is a new injury. In addition to it, Garoppolo has been playing with a thumb injury in his throwing hand. The 49ers expect Garoppolo to practice this week and play on Saturday. However, the freezing temperatures on Saturday night combined with Garoppolo’s injuries could mean a heavy run attack from San Francisco. The Packers must score early and often and force the 49ers to throw more.
In 15 games this season, Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He had a 68.3% completion percentage and had a passer rating of 98.7. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week Three, Garoppolo threw for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The Packers, of course, won the game on a last second field goal by Mason Crosby.
San Francisco 49ers ILB Fred Warner Expects to Play on Saturday
2020 Pro Bowl and All-Pro inside linebacker Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury in the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Initially, many who saw the injury happen believed it was going to cost him the rest of the postseason. However, Warner took to Twitter today to assure fans that it was not as bad as it looked.
Despite not being an All-Pro or Pro Bowl selection this season, Fred Warner still was one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL. In 16 games, he had 137 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble. Warner recorded nine total tackles in the 49ers Week Three loss to the Packers. With him on the field, the Packers must be aware of him in the run game. The tight ends (and blocking extraordinaire Allen Lazard) will need to provide support on rushing plays to make sure he is not disruptive.
Packers Offensive Lineman Lucas Patrick Activated Off of the COVID/Reserve List
During the Green Bay Packers’ first round bye, Lucas Patrick was placed on the team’s COVID/Reserve list. Fortunately, the team is the number one seed and did not have to play this weekend. Therefore, Patrick did not miss any games. The Packers announced that Patrick was being activated off of the list on Monday.
Due to the knee injury Josh Myers suffered this season, Lucas Patrick spent the majority of the year as the Packers’ starting center. He excelled in this role and did not allow a sack from the position all season. With Myers returning, that means that Patrick can shift back to his natural guard position. Jon Runyan Jr. has been playing well at left guard, while Royce Newman has struggled at right guard. It is, therefore, possible that the Packers will start Patrick at right guard against the 49ers.
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