49ers’ Trey Lance closing in on first start as Garoppolo and Kittle miss practice again

ESPN's Jeff Darlington recently appeared on the network's NFL Live show and discussed the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback situation, highlighting Trey Lance's healthy state and current workload during organized team activities (OTAs). "Trey Lance is the guy during OTAs who's been taking all the 1st-team reps; he's healthy at this point," Darlington said, per Dov Kleiman of BroBible. "Sam Darnold really getting backup duty as he kinda gets his playbook under his belt. But for now, Trey Lance getting his opportunity with those first-team reps." What is the takeaway from these comments? Nothing, really. We

The San Francisco 49ers started organized team activities (OTAs) this week. They held their first practice on Monday. Tuesday was the first session open to the media, and reporters got glimpses of quarterbacks Trey Lance and Sam Darnold throwing, along with the rest of the team's work. Lance and Darnold are competing for that QB2 spot behind a sidelined Brock Purdy. One could even be the starting quarterback when San Francisco's regular season kicks off on September 10, assuming Purdy isn't yet available. Below are some videos from Tuesday's practice that various sources

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been pleased with what he's seen from Trey Lance during these first two organized team activities (OTAs) practices. The third-year quarterback entered last season as the team's starting quarterback. An ankle injury during Week 2 ended that. Now fully recovered, Lance is looking to prove himself to his coaches. The former No. 3 overall pick has taken all of the first-team reps during these two practices. However, Shanahan warns not to read too much into that. "It'll even out," Shanahan said. "We'll make sure to get that right." A reporter was already asking another question when Shanahan interrupted him to clear up a potential misconception about "first-team reps." "And the first-team is kind of funny because

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