San Francisco 49ers’ Trey Lance needs season-ending surgery on broken ankle suffered against Seattle Seahawks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trey Lance’s season is over less than five full quarters into his first year as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback.

Lance broke his right ankle with 2:20 to go in the first quarter of Sunday’s 27-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo replaced Lance and finished the game, as he reassumes starting duties with Lance now out.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury and said Lance is scheduled for season-ending surgery Monday morning.

“It’s always tough, especially when it’s a big one like that,” Shanahan said. “You feel for someone so bad. It’s sad but you don’t have time to sit there and think about it. You’ve got to get right back to the game, and the guys did a real good job of that. I’m really happy about the win, but it’s a little somber once you get in the locker room.”

When the Niners returned to the locker room after the victory, Shanahan struck a similar tone with his team, telling it to be proud of the win but to take a moment to keep Lance in its thoughts.

Lance’s injury came on a second-down run on a zone-read play in which he had the option to hand it to receiver Ray-Ray McCloud or keep it himself and run it up the middle. Lance chose the latter and, after gaining 2 yards, collided with Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton. Lance fell awkwardly and his right ankle seemed to fold underneath him.

Initially, Lance appeared poised to get back up, and center Jake Brendel tried to help him, but he quickly went back down and the cart was brought out to help him off the field. Lance’s right leg was also put in an air cast as teammates streamed onto the field to offer encouragement.

Most of the 49ers and Shanahan knew instantly that Lance had suffered a serious injury and expected the worst as the second-year quarterback was ruled out for the game just minutes later.

“You can tell when injuries like that happen right away and they bring the stabilizing stuff out and the cart out,” tackle Mike McGlinchey said….