Garoppolo misses another practice

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The odds of 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance making his second career start Sunday increased Thursday because Jimmy Garoppolo missed his third straight practice due to his injured right thumb.

Garoppolo, not in uniform, was observed speaking with team physician Dr. Tim McAdams at the start of practice before he exited into the weight room while his teammates were stretching. Garoppolo was wearing a wrap on his right hand after suffering a Grade 3 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament and a fracture in last Thursday’s loss at Tennessee.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan maintained Garoppolo had a “chance” to play Sunday against the Texans when he spoke with reporters before Wednesday’s practice.

At that time, Shanahan expressed optimism Garoppolo might be able to throw and participate in Wednesday’s practice on a limited basis, but that has yet to happen.

New dad Samuel is ready to play

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was in North Carolina on Monday for the birth of his first child, Tyshun Raequan Samuel Jr., which is Samuel’s given name.

Samuel said he is hoping to have “Samuel Sr.” on the back of his jersey for Sunday’s game against Houston.

“It was a great experience,” Samuel said. “It’s something you can’t even explain. I actually didn’t tear up, but I was just so happy just to see him, knowing everything went well.”

Samuel did not participate in individual drills early in practice, but he was getting stretched during part of an extended warm-up period. Samuel, who missed a loss at Seattle on Dec. 5 because of a strained groin, has been a full participant in practice this week.

“I’ve been on flights back and forth for a while,” Samuel said of his extra stretching. “So we’re just making sure I’m good.”

Greenlaw aiming for rivalry game

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) practiced for the first time since he aggravated his core muscle injury in a win over the Vikings on Nov. 28.

Greenlaw, who was limited, had surgery after the season opener and has played in just two games this season. Shanahan indicated this week that Greenlaw had a chance to return for the regularseason finale against the Rams on Jan. 9.