What 49ers’ Shanahan said on Lance, injuries, roster, plan vs. Raiders

SANTA CLARA — Here are the top five topics coach Kyle Shanahan covered with reporters in a conference call Monday, a day after the 49ers rallied for a 1510 win over the host Los Angeles Chargers.

1. TREY LANCE REVIEW Trey Lance has now thrown as many interceptions in a 49ers uniform as he did at North Dakota State: one. After his 15-yard pass sailed high off Mohamed Sanu's hands and into those of a Chargers defender, Shanahan got a good look at how his rookie quarterback rallied with two touchdown passes.

“I like how he responded throughout it,” Shanahan said. “Trey hasn't played a lot of football in the last year or so. In college, he threw one interception since high school.

“So to watch him throw a pick and have a couple close, that's something he isn't used to. It got down pretty bad but to watch him go recover, it was nice for me to see, because I haven't seen him have to play through much like that in his college tape.”

He also saw Lance make a concerted effort to correct mistakes from his preseason opener against the Chiefs. Then came more mistakes against the Chargers, to which he corrected during the comeback, “which was nice to see and not having to wait until the film,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan acknowledged that what Lance has shown in the preseason is a mere sample size of his greater versatility; he's had only one run.

“When you put in a game plan for Trey, there'll be some stuff different than what we've done with quarterbacks in the past,” Shanahan said. “There are other elements he brings to the game we haven't done for obvious reasons in the preseason.”

Shanahan said Lance's fundamentals improved from one game to the next, although he needs to ease up on short throws and read such plays quicker. 2. AIYUK DROPS Brandon Aiyuk's drops aren't sitting well with Shanahan, nor are those of the 49ers' other receivers who haven't been surehanded this training camp.

“It's something I know he's definitely working at, something we don't want to happen ever,” Shanahan said of Aiyuk. “As a receiver, when their hands touch the ball, you never want to drop it. Saying `never' might not be totally realistic but it's something we're striving for and something Brandon definitely can get better at.”

Aiyuk dropped the first pass thrown his way in both preseason games so far, from Trey Lance's initial attempt in the opener against the Chiefs to Jimmy Garoppolo's high throw that resulted in a red zone interception Sunday.

Aiyuk dropped 5-of-96 targets his rookie year, according to Rotowire.com. His 60 receptions, meanwhile, were the most ever by a 49ers' rookie wide receiver, although then-running back Earl Cooper owns the franchise rookie record with 83 catches in 1980.

3. INJURY UPDATES Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst has a high ankle sprain and linebacker Mychal Kendricks sustained a turf toe injury early in Sunday's game. Both veterans will be out at least a month and that will factor into roster spots, said Shanahan, adding that he planned to meet with general manager John Lynch on Monday night to determine how they'd trim the roster from 85 to 80 players by Tuesday's 1 p.m. deadline.

In Sunday's other injuries, guard Senio Kelemete (back) is day-to-day and cornerback Alexander Myres was cleared from a potential concussion.

4. STARTERS' ROLL CALL The script could flip in the ensuing days but Shanahan plans on deploying starters who've otherwise sat out the first two games for precautionary reasons. That includes most of his defense, but also tight end George Kittle, whose preseason career consists of two games as a rookie in 2017 and the 2018 preseason opener.

“Right now my plan is to use them. It's still early, though,” Shanahan said. “For the most part, I'd like to get everyone playing a little bit.”

5. ROOKIE PROSPECTS Strong safety Talanoa Hufanga is in contention for a starting role, not only because of his impressive showing but the fact Jaquiski Tartt (toe) remains on the physically unable to perform list.

“He's definitely given himself an opportunity,” said Shanahan, adding that veteran Tavon Wilson has had a solid camp, too.

Rookie Jaylon Moore has worked exclusively at left tackle and filled in there all game Sunday in place of the injured Trent Williams and Shon Coleman. While Moore is helping prove himself as a swing tackle option, the 49ers also could switch him to guard as they seek to keep only three to four reserve linemen on the 53-man roster, Shanahan said.