49ers QB Trey Lance reportedly could recover from ankle injury before end of 2022 season

The San Francisco 49ers confirmed on Monday that second-year quarterback and starter Trey Lance had undergone successful surgery to address the brutal ankle injury he suffered in Sunday's 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks and added that Lance "will recover completely in time for a full return in the 2023 season." 

It appears Lance's recovery time may be even shorter than that. 

According to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Kenneth Jung is a consultant to the Los Angeles Rams and has told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle that Lance theoretically could be available to play by Christmas Day. 

"There could be a lot of non-medical factors that are playing a part in shutting him down — protecting their investment in the future," Jung said of the 49ers potentially not rushing Lance back before next year. "But usually, this injury is about 10 to 12 weeks." 

Such a timeline could have Lance ready to play by the Week 15 "Thursday Night Football" showdown at none other than the Seahawks on Dec. 15. 

In their Monday statement, the 49ers explained that Lance went down with "a fibula fracture and ligament disruption" during this past Sunday's win over Seattle. Branch wrote that Dr. Jung said the ligament damage "was probably caused by a dislocation, with bones shifting out of joint" and that the 22-year-old's "fibula was probably stabilized with a plate and screws" that will "remain during Lance's career, as it involves another operation to remove, and the bone can be weaker without" the hardware. 

Reports have suggested some within the Rams and 49ers believe the 2022 edition of the Niners will be better with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo back atop their depth chart as their QB1 over Lance. Garoppolo has started two conference championship games and a Super Bowl during his San Francisco tenure and presumably will be under center for all of the club's contests through at least Week 18 on Jan. 8 as long as he stays healthy. 

The 1-1 49ers will next play at the 1-1 Denver Broncos this Sunday night.