Trey Lance: 4 reasons why 49ers rookie QB starts in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Trey Lance stars because of a Jimmy Garoppolo injury
Ah, yes. The unavoidable “elephant in the room” and the primary reason why Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers wanted to get Trey Lance in the first place.
The discussion topic of Jimmy Garoppolo injuries is nothing new, and his large-scale absences in 2018 and 2020 forced the Niners to make the move up from No. 12 overall in this year’s draft to No. 3, subsequently grabbing Lance as a result.
Over the last three years, Jimmy G has missed a total of 25 out of a possible 48 regular-season starts, suggesting there’s a good chance San Francisco will have to turn to Lance at some point in 2021. And according to Sports Injury Predictor, Garoppolo is predicted to miss 1.2 games this season.
Related Story: Jimmy Garoppolo injury history, outlook for 2021
Even if it’s just as a temporary bridge option in the middle of his development, there’s a good chance Lance winds up getting at least one start at some point in the near future.
This doesn’t necessarily point to a “forever” transition from Jimmy G to Lance. Perhaps it’d be just for a game or two, depending on the nature of Garoppolo’s injury.
But whatever the result of Lance’s on-field efforts is, they’re sure to be scrutinized.
And the same with Garoppolo’s future, too.