Quarterback Trey Lance underwent surgery to remove hardware inserted into his right ankle during his initial surgery in September, the 49ers announced Saturday.
Lance is expected to make a full recovery from Friday’s surgery and return to organized team activity next offseason.
The hardware was placed close to the tendon in Lance’s ankle due to the location of the fracture Lance suffered in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. The proximity of the tendon caused inflammation in his ankle during his recovery, the team said.
After consulting with multiple experts, “the decision was made to remove the hardware to prevent future problems with the ankle,” the team said.
Lance, the No. 1 pick with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, entered the season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback. Before the injury, he completed 15 of 31 passes for 194 yards with no touchdowns and only one interception.
Jimmy Garoppolo played 10 games at quarterback before a broken foot sidelined him for the rest of the season. Now, the 49ers’ championship-hungry season is in the hands of Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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There has been a lot of speculation about the future of the 49ers quarterback. That’s sure to be a hot topic this offseason, especially if Boddy keeps playing well. But for now, the 49ers want Lance to fully recover and Purdy to use his versatile offensive weapon properly in the deep playoffs.
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