San Francisco 49ers confirmed on Monday Midfielder and second-year starter Trey Lance underwent successful surgery to address a brutal ankle injury he sustained during Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks and added that Lance “will make a full recovery in time for a full return in the 2023 season.”
It seems that Lance’s recovery time could be even shorter than that.
Based on David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Kenneth Jung is a consultant for the Los Angeles Rams and told Eric’s Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle that, in theory, could be played before Christmas Day.
“There could be multiple non-medical factors playing a role in shutting him down – protecting their investment in the future,” Jung said of the 49ers likely in no hurry to return to Lance before next year. “But typically, this injury is about 10 to 12 weeks.”
Such a timeline could get Lance ready to play ahead of Week 15’s “Thursday Night Football” game at the Seahawks on December 15.
In a statement Monday, the 49ers explained that Lance suffered a “fracture of his fibula and ligament” in Sunday’s win over Seattle. Branch writes that Dr Jung said ligament damage “could be due to dislocation, with the bone displaced out of the joint” and that “the fibula was probably stabilized with a plate and screw” would “remain”. also during Lance’s career, as it involved another surgery to remove, and the bone could have been weaker without the “hardware.
Reports have suggested some inside Rams and 49ers trust The Niners’ 2022 edition will be better with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo back at the top of their depth charts as their QB1 instead of Lance. Garoppolo has started two league championships and a Super Bowl during his tenure in San Francisco and will presumably be central to all club competitions at least Week 18 on Jan. as long as he stays healthy.
The next 1-1 49ers will play 1-1 the Denver Broncos this Sunday night.
