Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) leads his team onto the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears
(New York, NY) — Describe Trey Lance’s NFL Tenure in one word.
We’ll start. Catastrophe.
NBC Sports Bay Area reports a hairline finger fracture forced the 49ers quarterback to change his throwing grip after the 2021 injury did not heal properly.
“He spent a whole year throwing without a bent finger which changed everything and shows the toughness of the kid that he never complained about it,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He tried to adjust so he could be out there.”
Per reporter Matt Maiocco, the fractured ankle he endured in Week 2 that ended his second NFL season seems to be less of a long-term concern.
“I kind of had to learn how to throw the ball differently without kind of using my pointer finger, I guess because of just where it was at throughout the year,” Lance echoed. “But now, I feel like I’m in a great spot, health-wise, and throwing the ball wall, and feeling really good.”
Although Shanahan now claims Lance is “the best we’ve seen him,” it’s just more evidence that the 49ers have zero intention of starting him in 2023.
A trade would remain the best outcome for both parties. The 49ers kick off OTAs on May 22.
