Trey Lance suffers leg injury; Jimmy G comes on for 49ers

SANTA CLARA — Trey Lance suffered a severe leg injury on a quarterback keeper Sunday in the first quarter of the San Francisco 49ers-Seattle Seahawks game and was replaced by former starter Jimmy Garoppolo.

Lance had taken over the starting job this season from Garoppolo after being drafted third overall in 2021. Garoppolo didn’t practice with the team during training camp, throwing on his own on a side field.

With 2:20 to go in the first quarter and the 49ers leading 3-0, Lance kept the ball on second down at the Seahawks 19 for 2 yards.

On the tackle, Lance’s leg was rolled up under the tacklers. His teammates reacted immediately as the medical staff rushed onto the field. Lance’s injured right leg was placed in an aircast and he was taken from the field on a cart. 

The 49ers said Lance had injured his ankle and would not be returning to Sunday’s game.

Garoppolo completed his first pass to Brandon Aiyuk to set up a 33-yard Robbie Gouid field goal and a 6-0 lead.

On the 49ers next possession, Garoppolo — who was signed to a 1-year deal after San Francisco couldn’t find a trading partner — showed no sign of any rust or any effects of his off-season shoulder surgery.

Garoppolo hit on a 12-yard pass to Aiyuk, 16 yards to Ray-Ray McCloud and then a 38-yard scoring hook up with Ross Dwelley — who started in place of the injured George Kittle — for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead.