Kyle Shanahan Confirms More Injuries for 49ers After Lance’s Surgery Monday
Sep 19, 2022, 4:20 PM
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against Josh Jones #13 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Monday’s routine conference call with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered some good news and some bad news for the team.
The good news is that quarterback Trey Lance had successful surgery Monday to repair a broken ankle suffered Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks. His operation took place at Stanford Hospital and is expected make a full recovery for the 2023 NFL season.
“Surgery was performed at Stanford Hospital and repaired two injuries to Lance’s ankle, a fibula fracture and ligament disruption,” the team said in a statement Monday. Lance will start the rehab process, and head team physician Dr. Tim McAdams is confident that he will recover completely in time for a full return in the 2023 season.”
Truly appreciate all of the messages and prayers. Surgery was a success and I am ready to attack this rehab process. We will never understand why, but I trust that it’s all a part of His plan. I will be back better than ever. This chapter is going to make the story even greater! pic.twitter.com/l5hoBWsLDw
— Trey Lance (@treylance09) September 19, 2022
Lance went on to post the same message to his social media channels, all smiles as he starts the long road back from recovery.
In case you missed it, the injury occurred during the first quarter when Lance ran up the middle on a designed run play. The quarterback was tackled awkwardly by linebacker Cody Barton on second and eight inside the redzone. Lance tried to stand up but immediately collapsed onto the field, signaling to the training staff right away.
The cart was brought out and he was ruled out immediately for the rest of the contest.
While Shanahan said he hadn’t seen Trey yet, he mentioned that several teammates have gone to pay him a visit Monday, wishing him a speedy recovery.
“I know we’re all just kind of worried about him and making sure that he’s doing all right mentally and physically,” the head coach said.
Additionally, Shanahan is hopeful that Lance will stick around in The Bay while he rehabilitates his right ankle, looking to keep him involved in all team activities.
“As soon as you can get back in here and start rehabbing. We’re going to want him a part of everything. Every meeting he can be that, every practice he can be at. He’s not gonna be able to do all of that because of how much he’s got to rehab but especially in those meetings and stuff we don’t plan on Trey being away from us at all. Whenever he’s not taking care of his ankle, we plan on him being with us,” Shanahan stated.
What is it with the #49ers and the RB position? My word. https://t.co/H09evg6ZEF
— Nick Cattles (@NickCRadio) September 19, 2022
Unfortunately more bad news struck the 49ers in the aftermath of Sunday’s contest as rookie running back Ty Davis-Price suffered a high ankle sprain, and will be out a few weeks. Tight end Tyler Kroft will also be joining Davis-Price on the inactives list, out a few weeks with a MCL sprain.
Soft tissue injuries have plagued the 49ers since training camp, losing safety Jimmie Ward to a hamstring injury before Week 1, and starting RB Elijah Mitchell to an MCL sprain in Chicago.
With so many injuries to the position, Shanahan noted that the team will bring in another tailback to provide cover for who’s left on the roster.
Among the available running backs is fellow rookie Jordan Mason. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech earned a roster spot over former 49er Trey Sermon and will now look to complement a backfield of him, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Marlon Mack.
It's obviously Jordan Mason time now with TDP's high ankle sprain
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 19, 2022
I thought JP [Jordan Mason] had his best special teams game, did a real good job on special teams,” Shanahan said. “So JP didn’t get in there on offense but he’ll have to be ready this week now.”
Wilson lead the way against Seattle with 18 carries for 84 yards on the ground, hitting the holes hard with an aggressive run style that Shanahan and the coaching staff noticed Sunday.
“Jeff was a stud,” the head coach raved. “You could just see how hard he was running and what Jeff does when he doesn’t have the ball is really good too. He helps us out in a ton of ways.”
