Jimmy Garoppolo played the 49ers’ final four games of the year with a torn UCL in his right thumb that will require offseason surgery according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Garoppolo, who is under contract with the 49ers next season, will look to get the surgery as soon as possible to kickstart the four-to-six week recovery process. With a full offseason ahead the surgery shouldn’t hamper his availability for any offseason program. Whether that offseason program is with San Francisco or another team hasn’t been decided, although it appears he’s played his final down for the 49ers.
The thumb injury occurred in the 49ers’ Week 16 loss to the Titans on Thursday Night Football. He was hurt in the second quarter and finished the game, missed Week 17 against the Texans, but returned in Week 18 and gutted out a win to get the 49ers to the postseason. He then started all three playoff games with mixed results.
Garoppolo told Mike Silver in Bally Sports that the thumb injury pained him every time he threw.
“I can’t believe (it) held up, to be completely honest with you,” Garoppolo told Silver on Sunday in a post-game interview. “The thumb, the shoulder … all of it. It was one thing after another. … Every time I threw. It was a lot.”
It’s in Garoppolo’s best interest going into a crucial offseason for him that he be as healthy as possible. While his play at times may raise some questions, his toughness is undeniable considering the fact he played four games on an injury that will require surgery.