Why isn’t 49ers’ Trey Lance playing on ‘Sunday Night Football’ vs. the Colts?

49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance has made four NFL appearances through five games this season.

Lance made small contributions in the Weeks 1 and 3 games as he only took the field for a couple snaps. But, when QB1 Jimmy Garoppolo left the 49ers’ Week 4 game against the Seahawks in the second half with a calf injury, Lance stepped in for his big NFL debut. The 49ers ended up losing 28-21, but Lance still threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

Lance started for the first time in the Week 5 game against the Cardinals after Garoppolo was ruled out. The 49ers lost 17-10, but Lance threw for 192 yards and rushed for 89. Even though he completed the game, Lance left the field with a knee sprain and hasn’t played since. The 49ers had a bye week in Week 6, so it gave Garoppolo and Lance both time to rest.

Ahead of the ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup between the 49ers and the Colts, Garoppolo will make his return and Lance will not be his back-up. Read below to find out why.

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Why isn’t Trey Lance playing tonight?

Leading up to the Sunday night game, Lance did not appear at 49ers practice, while Garoppolo was a limitedl participant. From there, it was clear that Garoppolo would be the starting quarterback against the Colts. Since Lance remains out for Sunday’s game, Nate Sudfeld will act as Garoppolo’s back-up.

Lance is still dealing with his knee sprain, and it was originally predicted that he would be out for one to two weeks. 

MORE: George Kittle injury update

Jimmy Garoppolo injury status

Since Garoppolo returned to practice this week, he has remained limited in participation. Coach John Lynch isn’t too worried, though, and he thinks Garoppolo is ready to start again.

“Jimmy’s doing really well,” Lynch said on the Murph & Mac show. “He’s done a great job coming back from that calf contusion that he got versus Seattle. And he did a nice job of rehab, and he stuck around the bye week, as did Trey because they were both hurting.”

Through the three and a half games Garoppolo has played this season, he has 925 passing yards with five touchdowns.

MORE: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan gives Jimmy Garoppolo another vote of confidence: ‘Trey’s our backup quarterback’

When will Trey Lance return?

Lance’s return is not confirmed yet, but there is a chance he will be back for the Week 8 matchup against the Bears. On Friday, Oct. 22, coach John Lynch commented on Lance’s status.

“Trey’s on a really good course,” Lynch said. “We’ll see next week where he’s at, but Trey’s healing at a good rate right now.”