Trey Lance (5) gets the starting nod after Jimmy Garoppolo (10) was ruled out with a calf injury. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out; Trey Lance to start at Cardinals

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/8/21

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been ruled out for Sunday's showdown with the undefeated Arizona Cardinals because of the calf contusion he suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks that dropped the Niners to 2-2, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

#49ers QB Trey Lance will make his first start, per coach Kyle Shanahan. Jimmy Garoppolo is out, while TE George Kittle is doubtful.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2021

Rookie and third overall pick Trey Lance will make his first career start. Whether or not Garoppolo returns to the lineup when he's healthy will have to be seen.

Lance completed 50% (9-of-18) of his pass attempts for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat to Seattle, and he added 41 rushing yards on seven carries.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has repeatedly said since the spring he planned to start a healthy Garoppolo over Lance so that the first-year pro could learn about life in the NFL from the sidelines, and the 49ers have a bye week before they return to action against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 24.

Of course, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy made similar statements about veteran Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields earlier this year before Dalton went down to a knee injury last month.

Nagy named Fields his QB1 moving forward on Wednesday.

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