Garcia has cold

The 49ers quarterback misses practice to rest at the hotel, but teammates aren't worried.

©Associated Press
January 12, 2003

TAMPA -- Jeff Garcia missed the 49ers' workout with a cold, but the star quarterback was expected to play in today's playoff game against the Bucs.

Garcia normally doesn't participate in the Saturday practice anyway, so coach Steve Mariucci left him at the team hotel, the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club.

The rest of the team worked out for an hour at Raymond James Stadium.

"To drive a half-hour in a bus to stand around wouldn't really do him any good," Mariucci said. "He needed a little rest."

Garcia, selected for his third straight Pro Bowl, passed for 331 yards and ran for 60 more to lead San Francisco to a 39-38 victory over the Giants last week. It was his first playoff victory in three full seasons as the 49ers starting quarterback.

Garcia has made 53 consecutive starts, the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL. He played much of last season with a chest injury, and he had arm and hand injuries this season.

Garcia finished the season with 3,344 yards passing, his third straight 3,000-yard season.

"He's played through a lot worse than this," left tackle Derrick Deese said. "We're not at all concerned that he won't be out there."

Also, 49ers starting cornerback Jason Webster didn't work out Saturday because of a sprained ankle that kept him out of last week's game. Rookie Mike Rumph will start if Webster, listed as questionable, is unable to play.

Mariucci said the 49ers will activate rookie linebacker Saleem Rasheed, who has had strained leg muscles and has played in one game since Oct. 20.