49ers QB Lance breaks ankle, will undergo season-ending surgery Monday

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) is carted off the field after an injury against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers QB Trey Lance breaks right ankle, will undergo season-ending surgery Monday

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/18/22

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance left Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks with what many feared to be a significant leg injury.

After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the worst. Lance has a broken right ankle which will require season-ending surgery.

“Trey Lance, he ended up breaking his ankle.” — Kyle Shanahan said immediately. He confirmed Lance is out for the year
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) September 18, 2022

According to Shanahan, Lance's injury had the Niners' locker room in a somber mood despite having come away with a 27-7 win over Seattle. Shanahan spoke with Lance, saying the quarterback is "doing as good as he can," considering the circumstances.

"I'm hurting for him." - Kyle Shanahan on the somber mood following Trey Lance's ankle injury pic.twitter.com/r1YSI940O8
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 18, 2022

Late in the first quarter, Lance ran a quarterback draw up the middle before being tackled to the ground by a pair of Seahawks. When teammates attempted to help Lance to his feet, he crumbled to the ground in obvious pain.

Trey Lance is getting carted off now. Jimmy Garoppolo is in.

Here's what happened.pic.twitter.com/9yfdxokUU8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 18, 2022

The injury isn't unexpected, as Lance is well known for using his legs, which comes with certain risks.

Earlier this week, Hall of Famer and former Niners' great Steve Young voiced concerns about Lance possibly injuring himself while on the run. Young cautioned Lance, saying he was no longer bigger than everyone else like he was during his college days at North Dakota State.

"What I don't want to have him do is get stood up and get hurt because he's trying to be Superman," Young said. "I know this feeling."

Lance went 2-of-3 for 30 yards before exiting Sunday's game. In last week's 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, Lance finished the day 13-for-28 for 164 yards and an interception.

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