49ers’ Shanahan outlines preseason plan for up-and-down Lance

The tentative preseason plan for Trey Lance: two games, two joint practices.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers quarterback would likely play in the exhibition opener on Friday against the Packers at Levi’s Stadium and in the preseason finale on Aug. 25 at Houston. Shanahan doesn’t anticipate Lance, along with many other front-line players, to participate in the second preseason game, on Aug. 20 at Minnesota.

That game will be preceded by two joint practices, from Aug 17-18, against the Vikings. Shanahan believes joint practices have more benefit than exhibition games, partly because the risk of injury is less, and he’s mindful of the brief four-day break between the final two preseason games.

The 49ers visit the Bears in the regular-season opener on Sept. 11.

“Hopefully, (Lance will play) a little in (game) one, a little in (game) three,” Shanahan said. “And then we’ll have 17 days to get ready for Week 1.”

Asked about his preference for joint practices, Shanahan said: “I’d prefer that’s all we did, all three weeks. And never play in a game.”

Lance’s uneven training camp included a poor performance in Sunday’s practice, which was followed by an off day Monday. Lance completed 4 of 12 passes and threw an interception right to linebacker Fred Warner.

“I think it’s gone kind of how you’d expect it,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s had some real good days. He’s had a couple of rough days. I thought he had a rough day his last practice. It’s going to be good to see how he bounces back today. But I’ve been real pleased with Trey.”