Earlier this season, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wouldn't put his younger players into games just to give them experience unless the team found itself officially eliminated from playoff contention. He may be forced to throw a rookie into the starting lineup on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
The 49ers are in playoff contention. If the season ended today, they would be the sixth seed in the NFC. Starter Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with a thumb injury. He did not practice on Monday, and couldn't throw on Wednesday. We'll see what happens on Thursday.
If Garoppolo can't go, that means rookie quarterback Trey Lance would get his second NFL start and first significant action since Week 5. There is no doubt in the 49ers' minds that they can win with Lance.
The best offensive lineman in the game, tackle Trent Williams, recently discussed Lance and was asked what has impressed him the most about the rookie.
"Just his competitive nature," Williams told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco and Laura Britt on the 49ers Talk podcast. "Nothing is ever good enough. He can make a heck of a throw, but his mind is on the next throw. He is having great throws, and he has one bad throw, you can instantly see that puts a bad taste in his mouth. It's everything you want to see out of a young quarterback. He's only 21. We're asking a lot out of a 21-year-old, and he's under a magnifying glass, and he's responding in a perfect way, in my opinion.
"... If he's the guy that we have to go into battle with this weekend, I am 100 percent confident that he will give us the opportunity to win the game. ... I think he can go and make the plays that can propel a football team to a W. That's the talent he has. That's why he was picked where he was. Obviously, I have a ton of faith in him."
With Garoppolo's future uncertain, San Francisco could usher in the Lance era as early as Sunday. The franchise has a lot of faith in the rookie, who they traded up to select No. 3 overall in April's draft.
"He's a bright individual," Williams added. "He's going to be the face of the franchise, and I think the franchise is in great hands with a guy like him, who good is never good enough. And he's going to be a great player. He a great guy, but he's going to be an even better player."
You can listen to the entire 49ers Talk podcast, featuring Williams, below.