Trey Lance, 49ers youth help drop Packers in preseason bout

While it’s just a preseason game, the 49ers pulled off a solid exhibition victory over the visiting Packers on Friday thanks to Trey Lance and other youthful Niners.

After a so-so opening drive that culminated in a field goal, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance didn’t see his 2022 preseason debut come to a close after just one series against the visiting Green Bay Packers on Friday night.

Lance missed rookie wide receiver Danny Gray high and to the right on a key third-down play that opening drive, but the two would end up hooking up on their subsequent offensive for what might have been the most impressive play of the exhibition bout.

Nothing short of a 76-yard bomb of a touchdown from Lance to the first-year wideout:

That would mark Lance’s final play of the game, and the second-year signal-caller finished the night going 4-of-5 passing for 92 yards, the touchdown against zero interceptions, a sack and a 158.3 passer rating.

That’s a perfect passer rating, for what it’s worth.

Meanwhile, Gray finished the night with two receptions for 99 yards, flashing the speed San Francisco coveted when it used a Round 3 NFL Draft pick on him. With wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk not suiting up, Gray had a chance to shine as a primary target.

Not to be outdone by the youth, veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld hit wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud for another touchdown on the very first play on the Niners’ following series.

San Francisco’s second touchdown, however, was set up by a timely red-zone interception by undrafted rookie linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who returned it 57 yards to help set up the score from Sudfeld to McCloud.

And even Mr. Irrelevant himself, quarterback Brock Purdy, got involved in the touchdown passing.

49ers youth shines in 2022 preseason debut vs. Packers

Lance was the focal point, understandably so. And his night will certainly generate a lot of takeaways and reactions.

However, the quarterback wasn’t the only top performer from the night, as rookie cornerback Samuel Womack was arguably the MVP of the game with two interceptions, including the one below in which he ripped the ball out of the hands of Packers wideout Romeo Doubs:

The play was initially ruled a catch, but the officials overturned the call on the field after it was challenged by head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Womack’s two interceptions will certainly aid his fight to emerge as San Francisco’s starter at nickel cornerback this season.

Meanwhile, rookie EDGE Drake Jackson had himself a first half to remember, constantly wrecking Green Bay’s B-list offensive line and pressuring quarterback Jordan Love.

However, Jackson left the field early with what appeared to be a shoulder or arm injury.

Drake Jackson suffers arm/shoulder injury, 49ers could be concerned

The 49ers’ top pick from the 2022 NFL Draft was regularly beating double-teams while rushing Love, and the pass-rusher finished the night with at least four quarterback pressures and even broke up a pass on one pressure.

However, towards the middle of the second quarter, Jackson was seen heading to the blue medical tent with an apparent shoulder injury, and his subsequently leaving for the locker room in a lot of pain isn’t good.

The Niners aren’t intending to feature Jackson as an every-down player his rookie year. But as a rotational pass-rusher, getting Jackson in a role where he can assist Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa is a reachable goal.

If Jackson is healthy, of course.

San Francisco will travel to take on the Minnesota Vikings for Week 2 of the preseason.