49ers could be fighting for playoff lives with Trey Lance at QB

The San Francisco 49ers face a playoff battle over the final two weeks and they may have to go into it with Trey Lance instead of Jimmy Garoppolo.

Even after losing to the Titans as favorites on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, the San Francisco 49ers are still in a good spot to try and make the playoffs. No, they can no longer win the NFC West but FiveThirtyEight still has them with a 69 percent chance to make the playoffs as a wild card. That number moves to 77 percent if the Dolphins beat the Saints on Monday.

Unfortunately, those probabilities don’t factor in a potentially detrimental quarterback situation developing for San Francisco.

On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t practice after suffering a hand/thumb injury in the loss to Tennessee, saying his status for Week 17 is in doubt. Schefter later added that he suffered a UCL tear in his thumb in addition to a fracture.

Jimmy Garoppolo injury: Will Trey Lance start final two games for 49ers?

Considering the perceived severity of Garoppolo’s injury, it would seem reasonable to assume that his status is very much in doubt for both Weeks 17 and 18 against the Texans and Rams, respectively. Thus, rookie Trey Lance would potentially be in line to start.

The No. 3 overall pick from this year’s draft has appeared in five games but only started one this season with a previous injury for Jimmy G. That was a loss to the Cardinals in which Lance went 15-of-29 for 192 yards with no touchdowns and interception while rushing for 89 yards as well.

Despite his prodigious potential and raw talent, it’s seemed clear that Lance still has development ahead to be ready to lead an NFL offense. Thus, 49ers fans should certainly be a bit wary of the team’s playoff prospects resting on the rookie’s shoulders.