The San Francisco 49ers have lost four straight games, leading to questions about Jimmy Garoppolo's status as the team's starting quarterback.

After Sunday night's 30-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Kyle Shanahan sounded less sure about Garoppolo than at any point this season.

"I would guess so," Shanahan said when asked if Garoppolo would start in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. "I'll watch this tape and see if guys are healthy, first of all."

Trey Lance suffered a left knee sprain in the San Francisco 49ers' 17-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Lance had an MRI on Monday morning and isn't expected to miss much time. The 49ers have a bye this week and won't play again until they meet the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 24.

"It's not a long-term injury but they did say they won't be able to know until (later)," Kyle Shanahan said. "He'll have to stay here on the bye week and get treatment and everything, so we should have a good idea by the end of the next week whether he has got a chance for Indy or not. If he doesn't, they told me it should be like a one-to-two-week thing but possibly just one."

Shanahan has maintained that Jimmy Garoppolo would return to the starting role once he returns from his right calf injury.

George Kittle has been placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least three games due to a calf injury.

Kittle has been playing through the injury since suffering it in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

Kittle ranks second on the 49ers with 19 receptions and 227 yards this season. Kittle has missed time with injuries in each of the past three seasons. 

Jimmy Garoppolo has been ruled out for Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Trey Lance will start in place of Garoppolo, who suffered a calf contusion in Week 4. 

The 49ers will play at the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.

Kyle Shanahan says Jimmy Garoppolo has a chance to play on Sunday despite leaving Week 4's game with a right calf injury.

Tests on Monday revealed that Garoppolo's injury isn't long-term. Trent Williams, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury, is day-to-day as well.

"At least we know that it's nothing too serious where it will be long term, which was a possibility," Shanahan said. "I think Trent, we got a little bit better news than Jimmy, but Jimmy, we've got to see how he reacts here in the next two days. But both of them were definitely better news today than the feeling we had last night."

The closer look at Garoppolo revealed a bruised calf, which could take some time to heal but might also be only a few days, which would allow Garoppolo to start against the Arizona Cardinals.

The San Francisco 49ers may be forced to turn to rookie Trey Lance earlier than planned.

Lance took over at quarterback for the 49ers after the half in Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf injury and is set for an MRI.

Garoppolo said he first felt the injury on the game's opening series. As the first half wore on, Garoppolo said the calf continued to tighten and he could feel the pain working its way down to his Achilles.

Garoppolo finished his day 14-of-23 for 165 yards with a touchdown but started 6-of-6 for 70 yards and a touchdown on the first drive. Lance finished 9-of-18 for 157 yards with the two scores for a passer rating of 117.1. He also rushed for 41 yards on seven attempts.