It’s amazing how life can change in a flash, or in a snap, as was the case on Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterback situation, a situation which a few weeks ago seemed awkward and now seems like incredible planning.
Late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Trey Lance was carted off the field with an air cast on his right ankle. After the game, it was announced that Lance broke his ankle and will miss the rest of the season. He will have surgery Monday morning.
“It’s always tough, especially when it’s a big one like that,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. “You feel for someone so bad. It’s sad, but you don’t have time to sit there and think about it. You’ve got to get right back to the game, and the guys did a real good job of that. I’m really happy about the win, but it’s a little somber once you get in the locker room.”
Pass rusher Nick Bosa, who tore his ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 season, had the opportunity to talk to Lance.
“I’ve talked to him a little bit,” Bosa said. “It’s the worst part of the game, obviously, and it happens instantly and then there’s no going back. So once it happens, you feel like your life is over for a certain amount of time…It’s not going to be easy, but he will be back and he’ll be fine. It’s just really tough right now.”
The injury came with 2:33 left in the first quarter, as Lance scrambled on 2nd-and-8 from Seattle’s 21-yard line, when he was hit by Seahawks LB Cody Barton and DT Bryan Mone. At that point, Lance had taken off on three designed runs for 13 yards.
“Any time a guy gets hurt I wish I could call [a different play],” said Shanahan. “But that’s something we were going to do and something we were going to continue to do. It’s a football play we believe in and something that gives him a chance to be successful in this league.”
“Seeing all the work Trey put in from last year to this year, it kind of broke my heart.” Deebo Samuel #49ers pic.twitter.com/eOAv6VYrIn
— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) September 19, 2022
It was a devastating blow for Lance and everyone around him.
“Just seeing all the work Trey put in from last year to this year, it kind of broke my heart,” said Deebo Samuel. “I was praying for him. He’s a great guy, that’s what makes him so special.”
And now, Jimmy Garoppolo is QB1 again. The 49ers restructured his contract in late August, reducing his salary from $24 million to $6.5 million. That number increased today with Garoppolo earning an extra $350,000 for snaps played and the win.
“I’m real proud of Jimmy and how he came in,” Shanahan said. “He was ready for the moment and helped us get a win.” He later added that Garoppolo “looked good. Still handsome.” At least he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
Garoppolo finished the day 13-of-21 for 154 yards and a touchdown, while also getting a rushing touchdown of his own on a 4th-down play.
“I thought Jimmy looked great,” said fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who had his first rushing touchdown of the season on Sunday. “It felt like Niners football. We’ve been doing this for 5 years.Props to him for being such a pro and being ready to go. He came in and ran everything like a well-oiled machine.”
But it was somewhat surreal for Garoppolo, who has been through multiple injuries himself, a big reason why the 49ers were looking to move on.
“It was weird,” Garoppolo said. “It took me a couple series…I’ve been in Trey’s shoes, it sucks going through that. It’s tough as a young player, but he’ll come back better from it and if you do that, I think it will set you up for success in future.”
Dominant Defense
After committing 12 penalties in Week 1, the 49ers only had one on Sunday and their defense dominated Seattle, especially in the run game, holding the Seahawks to 36 yards on 14 carries.
Seattle QB Geno Smith was 24-of-30 for 194 yards and an interception, while the Seahawks’ only touchdown came on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown.
Next Up
Now, here they go again, with the 49ers suffering another brutal injury blow and an old/new QB at the helm.
#49ers Weeks 1 and 2 injury history:
2020: Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas lost for the season, Jimmy Garoppolo suffers ankle injury
2021: Week 1 – Jason Verrett, Raheem Mostert lost for the season
2022: Week 1 – Elijah Mitchell out 8 weeks
Week 2 – Trey Lance lost for the season— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) September 19, 2022
“It felt good to be back out there,” Garoppolo said. “I felt terrible for Trey. I’ve been on that side in this league. It’s tough. Every person has their share of injuries. But that sucks for him and I feel bad for him, but he’s our brother and we’ll pick him up.”
