Pelissero: Lance’s ankle injury not a compound fracture like Dak Prescott’s, still season-ending

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday morning that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is undergoing surgery this morning for his fractured and dislocated ankle.

Additionally, in a sliver of good news amongst the sorrows, Pelissero added that Trey Lance's injury is not a compound fracture, although it will still be a season-ending injury for the second-year quarterback.

To understand the severity and rarity of the compound fracture for quarterbacks in the NFL, there have only been three players that have suffered the injury: Dak Prescott, Alex Smith, and Joe Theismann.

Lance had injured the ankle in a freak accident when being hit by Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton during a rushing attempt up the middle. As he attempted to get up after the play, Lance couldn't step on his right ankle and went back down before the cart came out with an aircast for the injury.

After Lance's injury, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was initially expected to be moved before restructuring his contract with the 49ers to return on a cheaper salary, entered the game, completing his first four passes for 70 yards.

Now, with Lance confirmed to be out for the season, Garoppolo will take the reins as the top quarterback for the 49ers as they attempt to return as an NFC contender following last year's loss in the NFC Championship Game with the established veteran at the helm.

Lance was entering his first year as the full-time starter after being the backup to Garoppolo during his rookie season, playing in only three games due to injuries that the 30-year-old had sustained.

Garoppolo is set to enter free agency at the end of the season, while Lance will be entering the third year on his rookie contract in 2023 when he's expected to return from the injury.