Trey Lance: 49ers QB finger injury isn’t causing Rookie of Year odds to slip

Trey Lance suffered a small chip on his finger of his throwing hand during the 49ers’ final preseason game, but his Rookie of the Year odds aren’t slipping.

The San Francisco 49ers should breathe a sigh of relief knowing their top-drafted rookie quarterback, Trey Lance, didn’t suffer a serious injury during the Niners’ exhibition finale against the Last Vegas Raiders last weekend.

Lance’s index finger hit a Raiders defender’s helmet. And while the rookie was clearly favoring the injury following the play, Lance nevertheless stayed on the field until it was time to make his preseason exit.

Only later did head coach Kyle Shanahan reveal Lance suffered a small chip in his finger. According to Shanahan’s statements, Lance would still be ready to go in time for the regular season.

Trey Lance 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year odds hold firm

Usually, when a high-profile rookie winds up suffering any sort of injury, it’s not surprising to see oddsmakers drop his chances for winning a Rookie of the Year award.

According to the oddsmakers over at WynnBET, Lance started off with plus-600 odds to receive the accolade for the NFL’s best offensive rookie this season, which came in tied for fourth best.

Despite Lance’s injury, the odds haven’t shifted and remain as follows:

1. QB Trevor Lawrence — plus-275
2. QB Mac Jones — plus-300
3. QB Justin Fields — plus-525
4. RB Najee Harris — plus-600
5. QB Trey Lance — plus-600
6. QB Zach Wilson — plus-600

If you were to bet $100 on Lance winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award this season, you could win an additional $600 if he were to achieve the feat.

Make your pick now on WynnBET

Would Trey Lance have a realistic shot at NFL Rookie of the Year anyway?

The general consensus is San Francisco will start Jimmy Garoppolo, not Lance, at quarterback to kick off the 2021 season.

Garoppolo, while lacking in physical abilities and having lesser arm strength, is nevertheless familiar with Shanahan’s offense and has better presence within the pocket, an element with which Lance struggled when preseason opponents began to dial up blitzing pressure with regularity.

In order for Lance to win the Rookie of the Year award, he’ll have to play. Probably a good amount of games, too, overtaking the likes of Lawrence, Jones and Fields, who all have a stronger shot at starting before Lance ever does.

Still, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility.

Lance’s upside was on display, too, during the preseason. And one can figure Shanahan will make that switch as soon as he feels Lance gives the 49ers just as good a shot at winning games as Garoppolo.

Perhaps even if it’s just close enough.