49ers expect QB Trey Lance to make 'full return' for 2023 NFL season

The San Francisco 49ers had their 2022 NFL season drastically change when second-year quarterback and starter Trey Lance suffered a broken right ankle in what became a 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. 

It was known ahead of the midweek that Lance won't play again during the current campaign, and the 49ers provided an update on the 22-year-old on Monday afternoon. 

"San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance underwent successful surgery on his injured right ankle this morning, an injury that occurred in yesterday's game versus the Seattle Seahawks," the club confirmed. "Surgery was performed to repair two injuries to Lance's ankle, a fibula fracture and ligament disruption. Lance will start the rehab process, and head team physician Dr. Tim McAdams is confident that he will recover completely in time for a full return in the 2023 season." 

Lance officially replaced veteran Jimmy Garoppolo atop the team's depth chart this summer but began the season with a rough outing against the Chicago Bears at a rain-soaked Soldier Field two Sundays ago. He completed just 13-of-28 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in that 19-10 defeat, and he hit on only 48.4% of his total passes this season before his injury. 

Meanwhile, Garoppolo is in a contract year and is essentially auditioning for other teams even though one Monday report claimed that some members of the Los Angeles Rams believe the 49ers are better with Jimmy G under center. The two-time NFC Championship Game and one-time Super Bowl starter connected on 13-of-21 passes for 154 yards with a touchdown and zero interceptions against Seattle, and he added a rushing score in the victory. He will guide the 1-1 49ers into this coming Sunday's prime-time matchup at the 1-1 Denver Broncos.