Sam Darnold Named 49ers Backup QB, Trey Lance No Shows At Practice
Mere hours after Sam Darnold was named the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers behind Brock Purdy, reports surfaced that Trey Lance was absent from Wednesday’s practice. The team is exploring all options for their former No. 3 overall pick.
Trey Lance’s career has been marked by minimal flashes of talent and many challenges that have tested his development as a quarterback. Lance is 2-2 as a starter in the NFL and has completed 54.9 percent of his passes for 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. While not the strongest passer, Lance has shown that he has great potential as a rusher. Through three full games, he’s rushed for 174 yards on 37 carries.
Unfortunately, he has struggled mightily to stay healthy.
Lance suffered a broken finger that sat him out for the entire 2021 preseason. Later, he suffered a left knee sprain in October that had him miss one game. Last season, Lance suffered a broken ankle in Week 2 that had him miss the entirety of the 2022 season.
The 49ers moved Heaven and Earth to acquire Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft, trading three first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 in the draft.
The Dolphins utilized those draft assets to acquire Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb through trades, while also drafting Jaylen Waddle.
Darnold’s Struggles
Darnold has also had a tumultuous career. As a No. 3 pick himself, Darnold was expected to be the savior for the New York Jets back in 2018. Through three years in New York, the USC product threw for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions with a 59.8 completion percentage and a 13-25 record as a starter.
After his stint in New York, Darnold moved to Carolina for a short and disappointing two years. In March, the 49ers signed him to a one-year deal after Jimmy Garoppolo‘s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s evident that Darnold has consistently demonstrated greater proficiency within coach Kyle Shanahan’s system than Lance during practice sessions and preseason games. Lance’s future is shaky and unknown.
What do you think about the 49ers move? Do you believe in Trey Lance? Let us know!
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