Shanahan: Lance will ‘get plays’ this season
SANTA CLARA >> Kyle Shanahan stopped himself immediately after giving a muchanticipated notice about 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance.
“Trey’s going to play for us this year,” Shanahan said after Friday’s practice.
Shanahan barely paused upon seeing reporters raise eyebrows, scribble notes and open up social-media portals. He read their stopthe-presses minds.
“I mean, I know all of you are running to Twitter now. But, situationally, he’s going to get plays,” Shanahan said.
“That doesn’t mean he’s going to be the starter or anything. But he’s going to get plays.”
So, five weeks until the season starts, it’s been declared that Lance will not redshirt (see: Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love in 2020), nor is there any promise Lance does more than cameos on designed runs, essentially.
Lance, the No. 3 overall pick, remains stuck on the second string behind incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo.
Shanahan did note, for
the first time, that Lance eventually will get some first-team snaps so the offensive line can practice with him; that happened once last week on a designed run.
Both Lance and Garoppolo completed 7-of-12 passes in team drills Friday, so neither was sensational, except for a couple completions.
Lance started 5-for-5, and his initial throw was what’s become a daily routine: a 45-yard gem, which Travis Benjamin soared high to grab at midfield against cornerback Dontae Johnson, who appeared to applause on his knees after the acrobatic catch.
Lance’s other camp routine: botched handoffs. He fumbled an exchange with Wayne Gallman Jr., and botched a later snap.
“Yes, it’s a quarterback position and everyone is looking at that, but I don’t see it in a way where they’re competing,” Shanahansaid.
Ford preparing for his ‘breakthrough’
Defensive end Dee Ford was quick and to the point, which is how the 49ers ideally want him as a pass rusher.
This time, however, he was at a media podium for the first time in nearly a year, speaking about a chronic back condition that sidelined him after last year’s season opener.
Did retirement enter Ford’s mind as he journaled through his rehab?
“Hell no,” Ford responded. “I put in too much work. I haven’t put my best ’ball on tape, yet. So this is my life. It’s what Ido.”
What he’s also done is have two back surgeries in the past decade, dating back to his LSU college days.
A third surgery was not an option in his mind, so he rehabilitated with the 49ers’ medical staff throughout last season, as injuries to other players helped doom them to a 6-10, last-place finish.
“I never really lost my ability to do anything. It’s just getting my back where it needs to be,” Ford said. “The breakthrough is going to be when I get sacks.”
Canton-bound for Lynch’s big weekend
Shanahan and other members of the 49ers plan to fly into Canton for tonight’s Hall of Fame festivities, after a morning practice inside Levi’s Stadium. Shanahan will return to coach Sunday’s practice rather than stay for John Lynch’s enshrinement speech.
“I’m so happy for him,” Shanahan said. “In our profession, it’s what people dream about.”