49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo admits injured thumb 'hurts'

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier on Wednesday that starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would be limited in practice because of the Grade 3 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb and chipped bone that kept him out of this past Sunday's win over the Houston Texans. 

Garoppolo has completed throwing exercises during the midweek and, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, didn't hold back when speaking with reporters about how he feels a handful of days before this coming Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. 

"F---, it hurts," Garoppolo said of throwing with the injured thumb. "I don't know how else to describe it. It feels like the web in your hand is kind of tearing a little bit. That's probably the best way I can describe it." 

Rookie Trey Lance started against Houston and is receiving the majority of first-team practice reps as of Wednesday. However, Shanahan said Garoppolo will likely get the nod versus the Rams as long as the signal-caller is "near" 100% and feels he can lead the club to a postseason berth. 

"Whatever I can do to be out there, I'm going to be out there," Garoppolo added during his comments. "At the same time, you've got to be smart and think about what's going to be best for the team to win. So you've just got to be smart with all of the decisions you make." 

The Niners face a "win-or-tie-and-get-in" situation against the Rams but, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, would also make the playoffs if the 8-8 New Orleans Saints fail to defeat the 7-9 Atlanta Falcons in Week 18.