A day after their 27-7 win against the Seahawks, the Niners announced that Lance had “successful surgery on his injured right ankle.” The procedure took place Monday morning at Stanford Hospital and, according to a team statement, repaired two injuries to Lance’s ankle: “a fractured fibula and ligament disruption.” Shortly after surgery to repair his broken ankle, Lance took to social media to offer some insight into how he’s feeling. Lance tweeted a photo of himself lying in a hospital bed with his right ankle in a cast and a smile on his face. “I really appreciate all the messages and prayers. The surgery was a success and I’m ready to attack this recovery process,” she wrote. “We’ll never know why, but I believe it’s all part of His plan. I’ll come back better than ever. This chapter will make the story even bigger!” I really appreciate all the messages and prayers. The surgery was successful and I am ready to attack this recovery process. We’ll never know why, but I believe it’s all part of His plan. I will be back better than ever. This chapter will make the story even bigger! pic.twitter.com/l5hoBWsLDw — Trey Lance (@treylance09) September 19, 2022 That recovery process will take some time and a return this season has been ruled out, but Niners team physician Dr. Tim McAdams said in a statement that he is confident Lance “will make a full recovery in time for a full return in the 2023 season.” Lance will go on injured reserve this week as veteran Jimmy Garoppolo takes over as San Francisco’s starter, with rookie Brock Purdy stepping in as the backup. San Francisco is expected to add another quarterback to either the active roster or practice squad to provide additional depth.
The ankle injury occurred with about 2:20 to go in the first quarter on a second zone-read run in which Lance decided to hold the ball instead of handing to receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. Lance burst up the middle, but Seahawks linebacker Cody Burton met him in the hole for a 2-yard gain. Lance fell awkwardly and his right ankle seemed to fold under him. Lance looked like he was going to come right back up as center Jake Brendel offered a helping hand, but Lance quickly went back down. A cart was brought out soon afterward and Lance was wheeled into the locker room with his right leg in the air after teammates offered words of encouragement. Most of the Niners players and coaches who spoke after the win against Seattle said they knew right away Lance’s injury was serious. Those who had suffered similar injuries, such as defensive end Nick Bosa (who tore the ACL in his left knee in Week 2 of the 2020 season), offered Lance some perspective. “It’s the worst part of the game,” Bosa said. “It happens instantly and there’s no going back. Once it happens, you feel like your life is over for a certain period of time… Then it (the surgery) starts the road back. It’s not going to be easy, but he’s going to be back and he’s going to be good. It’s very difficult right now.”
