49ers to start Jimmy Garoppolo over Trey Lance vs. Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week that both veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Trey Lance will see action during meaningful regular-season games beginning in September. 

That will also be the plan this weekend. 

Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, Shanahan confirmed Thursday that Garoppolo will start for Saturday's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and likely play one series. Lance will play roughly 30 snaps with the backup offense before Josh Rosen and Nate Sudfeld close the contest out under center. 

"I'm just excited to see him play like everyone else is," Shanahan said of Lance, the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. "It's fun to watch quarterbacks go out there for the first time. But I don't get nervous for the person or anything like that because I think it's fun to watch. I know no one is going to remember how his first preseason game is, but they will the next day. That's all right."

Lance, meanwhile, added he's "super excited" for his first action as a pro. 

"Excited to go out and compete with this locker room of guys," Lance continued. "And kind of at the same time, everything's new. ... So, just being able to get used to everything -- everything from the hotel the night before the game to pregame warmup. Everything's going to be new, but at the same time, football is football."