29 July 2023 , 22:52
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San Francisco 49ers star Trey Lance appears to have done his chances of becoming the franchise's leading quarterback no favours after struggling in training camp.
There were question marks surrounding the quarterback position following the injury of main man Brock Purdy in the final game of last season. Purdy tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after colliding with Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick in January.
This led to fears that the 23-year-old could be forced to miss the start of the upcoming campaign, but he has made an early return, after participating in the Niners' training camp.
Providing an update on Purdy, general manager John Lynch said: "He’s going to be without restrictions. Now, having said that, we’re sticking, and we’re adhering to a plan that’s been put in place for some time.
"And he got after it the last couple of days. We upped his pitch count, so it was kind of the peak of the buildup. So he’ll take off Day 1 (on Wednesday). But we believe in the plan.
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"So, he’s cleared without restriction. There will be some time off due to pitch count, and all that, sticking to the plan. But the great news is, Brock has worked his tail off, and he’s ready to go.”
With Purdy's fitness still touch and go, the San Fransisco franchise will be looking to their other quarterback options heading into the season, but for Lance things did not go to plan. According to The Athletic, the quarterback 'really struggled' whilst at camp in the opening week.
Trey Lance struggled in training (AP)From four attempts, Lance completed just one pass during the session, with two of his three misses also labelled 'gimmies'. The 23-year-old is said to have been outperformed by the returning Purdy, as well as their new signing Sam Darnold.
And it appears, Lance is falling in the pecking order behind Darnold who has appeared as the Niners second choice heading into the season opener. Despite the concern, Lance admitted is taking his training one day at a time. "I'm very present-mind focused," he said. "Every rep, one rep at a time, one day at a time, one meeting at a time.
"Whatever it is, I truly believe everything works out exactly how it's supposed to. So as long as I control what I can control, that's all I can worry about."