San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance sat down with Tommy Tran and Brady Quinn of CBS Sports HQ and discussed his challenging 2022 season. Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2, throwing the team's plans for the season upside down. The 49ers ended up having a successful season, but Lance spent most of it as an observer, unable to help his teammates on the football field.
Lance was asked how his ankle is feeling now.
"I'm doing great," the quarterback responded. "You know, road to recovery still. It has been a grind, it has been a long road, but I'm feeling good about where I'm at, and I think I'm in a really good spot."
Lance underwent two procedures. The first was in September. Surgeons repaired two injuries to the quarterback's ankle—a fibula fracture and ligament disruption. Then, in December, Lance underwent a second surgery to remove the hardware inserted into his right ankle as part of the first procedure.
Not being able to play was hard on the 49ers quarterback. This season was supposed to be one of growth for the 22-year-old. However, he couldn't make it through five full quarters of the regular season.
"I mean, this year has been a whole different experience for me," Lance explained. "Just being in the situation that I'm in, being able to learn everything that I possibly can. Last year, similar situation, but being able to be on the practice field, being able to be in everything.
"This year, kind of had to take it to another level mentally, being able to be in the meeting rooms when I know I'm not going to be on the practice field. Things like that. That was harder, mentally, some days, but [I] was able to take different things seriously—nutrition, sleep, things like that. And I think that benefited me in the long run."
Lance admits that he also benefitted from watching Jimmy Garoppolo, his replacement, and Brock Purdy, who replaced Garoppolo after the veteran suffered a broken foot in Week 13.
"That's the only option at that point," Lance said. "When you're sitting there this past year, being able to watch Jimmy for six to eight weeks and then being able to watch Brock play as well as he did, it's hard not to learn stuff. And being able to be in the meeting room, being able to learn off the field from [RB] Christian McCaffrey coming in, [DE Nick] Bosa, what those guys do, their habits. It's experience that I don't think I would have gotten playing on the field."
Arik Armstead: 49ers can repeat as NFC West champs; Trey Lance has a bright future
By David Bonilla
May 25
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Thursday to discuss the state of the team at the start of organized team activities (OTAs). Armstead is part of a defensive line that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and added former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
The question that had to be asked: Does San Francisco own the best defensive line in football?
"Well, on paper, I guess you could say that, but 'on paper' doesn't win any game," Armstead responded. "But we're excited about getting together and starting that journey of
49ers insider offers analysis from glimpse of Trey Lance and Sam Darnold
By David Bonilla
May 25
It's premature to draw conclusions about a quarterback based on practices in May. That is especially true when you do so based on one practice. The San Francisco 49ers started organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and all eyes were on Trey Lance and Sam Darnold.
The two players are battling for that QB2 job behind last season's rookie sensation, Brock Purdy. One could even start Week 1 if Purdy is not healthy enough to do so himself.
Lance is coming off a season-ending ankle injury but looks completely healthy now. Darnold is trying to turn his career around after never living up to his high draft status.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic was on hand for Tuesday's practice, the only one open to reporters so far, and one that Barrows describes as a
Is 49ers QB Trey Lance getting better? And is it because of his new teacher? One expert shares his thoughts
By Marc Adams
May 25
Sometimes who is teaching is as important as what is being taught
Earlier this week, when the San Francisco 49ers opened up an OTAs session to the media, most of the eyes, in person and online, were on third-year quarterback Trey Lance's new delivery. Lance, of course, had been working with QB guru, Jeff Christensen, and thanks to some leaked footage of Lance throwing with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, along with a very well-timed piece by Matt Barrows in The Athletic, there was plenty of
49ers Mailbag: What happens if Sam Darnold beats out Trey Lance? Which rookie will play the most in 2023? Which question stumped us?
By Marc Adams
May 31
What happens if Sam Darnold beats out Trey Lance? We're answering this question and others in this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag.
It's week two of OTAs, and the 49ers will have a session open to the media on Wednesday. It may even be happening as you're reading this. And Brock Purdy is believed to start throwing a ball this week (though probably not a regular football).
But for now, ignore those reports, and let's jump into our latest mailbag and answer your questions.
Who's starting on Opening Day at FS? - Chris W.
The 49ers re-signed veteran free safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year deal and drafted Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown back in April. Brown is the future starting free safety. That future is most likely to
