The 49ers lost quarterback Trey Lance to a devastating-looking ankle injury on Sunday, completely demoralizing fans and media.
San Francisco went all in on Trey Lance this offseason, shopping Jimmy Garoppolo and handing the keys fully to the young talent.
So the fact that the former No. 3 overall pick made it just two games into his first season as a full-time starter was absolutely crushing.
Lance suffered a serious injury against the Seahawks in Week 2 when his ankle was caught underneath a defender’s body. He had to be carted off the field and was immediately ruled out of the game.
Anyone who watched the replay of the incident could see immediately that this wasn’t the kind of injury Lance would have any chance of coming back from soon. The 49ers fanbase was crushed. Afterall, many of them saw him as the next Josh Allen.
49ers fans and media react to Trey Lance’s injury
I have said more F bombs in the last 10 minutes than I have the entire year.
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) September 18, 2022
Sucks so bad for Trey Lance.
I lost all passion watching this game. I know there is a game. But this f*ckin sucks. #49ers
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) September 18, 2022
Prayers up for Trey Lance 🙏❤️
Let’s go Niners.
Absolutely demoralizing injury, not knowing the extent of Trey Lance's injury severity.
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) September 18, 2022
Only bright spot -- the 49ers still have Garoppolo playing and not Brock Purdy.
Will we ever know if Trey Lance can throw a football?
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) September 18, 2022
I honestly don't know if we will.
Sucks to see him injured like that.
My heart hurts for Trey Lance, man.
— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) September 18, 2022
Just gutted for Trey Lance man. That sucks. I really hope he’s OK.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) September 18, 2022
Simultaneously, 49ers now look brilliant for keeping Jimmy Garoppolo around. What a wild saga that now sees Garoppolo playing in Week 2.
While some lamented the situation for Lance and the team, others looked over at Kyle Shanahan and wondered why the head coach felt the need to put his quarterback in so much risk in the first place.
This injury to Trey Lance is on Kyle. He’s using him like he’s a damn running back. #49ers
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 18, 2022
If that’s how Trey Lance HAS to play and you can’t use him any other way, then you chose the wrong guy. That’s on you.
— East Bay Chris (@EastBayChris) September 18, 2022
I said on @957thegame that Shanahan would run Trey Lance into the ground but I didn't think it would happen this soon. Now Jimmy G is in, having taken zero snaps in the preseason or in practice in camp. Terrible mismanagement by Shanahan and the front office. This is disastrous.
— Dan Dibley (@dandibley) September 18, 2022
Trey Lance is not a running QB, he's a QB who can run. There's a big difference. On 2nd & 8, there's no need for QB draw up the middle between tackles. You’ll never convince me that’s a good idea.
— Stephanie McCarroll (@SoCaliSteph) September 18, 2022
I feel so sorry for Trey Lance. This did not have to happen. Kyle misued the poor guy.
— Lowell Cohn (@LowellCohn) September 18, 2022
Lance was 2-of-3 for 30 yards passing and 13 yards rushing before going down injured. The 49ers at least had Jimmy Garoppolo available as a backup after coming to an agreement to keep him around just before the season started.
We’ll learn more about Lance and his status going forward while Shanahan will no doubt face his share of criticism. For now, San Francisco will have to proceed with the quarterback who got them to the NFC Championship last season. They could be in a much worse position if they had followed through on trading or cutting Garoppolo as was considered a possibility during the offseason.