49ers not expected to play Trey Lance in preseason vs. Vikings

Despite being from Minnesota, Trey Lance isn’t expected to play for the 49ers in Week 2 of the preseason against the Vikings.

The San Francisco 49ers head into their second game of the 2022 preseason tonight against the Minnesota Vikings.

Starting quarterback Trey Lance isn’t expected to be out there on the field.

The Niners wrapped up two joint practices with the Vikings ahead of both teams’ second exhibition bout of the year, which kicks off from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. ET.

And while Lance saw plenty of scrimmage action versus the Vikings in the week leading up to the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it pretty clear he didn’t expect the second-year signal-caller to take the field in this particular contest.

When asked if Lance could play in the game, being from Marshall, Minnesota and all, Shanahan rather jokingly responded by saying, “Now that you reminded me that he is, maybe I’ll think about it. But, no, [that won’t factor into the decision] at all. Sorry.”

This jives with what Shanahan said just before San Francisco’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers back on Aug. 12 when he noted that Lance would likely get some field time in the first and third preseason games but not the second.

And even NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco corroborated Shanahan’s comments and the speculation by saying Lance wouldn’t play versus Minnesota:

"Quarterback Trey Lance is not expected to get onto the field for the 49ers’ preseason game Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.Lance will cap his preseason next week against the Houston Texans, then all energy will be placed into getting ready for the 49ers’ regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against the Chicago Bears."

49ers to give plenty of preseason field time to rookie QB Brock Purdy

With only two other quarterbacks on the traveling roster (we’re not including you, Jimmy Garoppolo), Nate Sudfeld and rookie Brock Purdy, Week 2 of the preseason figures to be an evaluation on whether or not the Niners should keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster this season.

Lance is obviously there, and Sudfeld is safe, too, if for no other reason than his $2 million salary for the 2022 season is fully guaranteed.

The question is whether or not Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, will warrant a spot on the depth chart.

Read More: 49ers vs. Vikings preseason: Betting odds, how you can watch live

Purdy flashed some promise late in the preseason opener against the Packers, going 3-of-6 passing with a touchdown to tight end Tanner Hudson and a successfully completed two-point conversion.

Still, the rookie might be ticketed to the practice squad anyway unless he showcases an awfully good effort on Saturday night.

One might expect Sudfeld to see the first half of action, subsequently giving way to Purdy over the second half.

Both teams kick off on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. ET.