Trey Lance’s heartbreaking injury and the quarterback the 49ers just can’t quit

There’s an old saying in NFL circles: “If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none.” Well, tell that to the San Francisco 49ers, who have learned the value of keeping two qualified starters. While the 49ers were criticized for handing backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a guaranteed one-year deal in the offseason rather than trading him for whatever they could get, the move may have saved their season after Trey Lance went down with a broken ankle on Sunday.

The extent of Lance’s injury was not known when the team put Garoppolo – previously labeled “the world’s most expensive backup” by some of the snarkier members of the media – on the field against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter. As per usual, it was an efficient but not flashy performance from Garoppolo, who had both a passing and rushing touchdown while throwing for 154 yards without a single pick. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 27-7, notching their first win of the season while handing Seattle their first loss.

It turns out they will be forced to rely on Garoppolo – who was practicing on his own for much of the offseason – for the long run. Immediately after the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Lance’s broken ankle requires season-ending surgery. It was heartbreaking news for a 22-year-old with so much talent to offer fans. Suddenly, Garoppolo, who looked like he was going to spend his season sitting on the bench for a team that clearly wanted to move on from him, is once again leading the team that he took the NFC Championship Game last season.

Oh, and about that “most expensive backup” designation? Should Garoppolo stay healthy, he will be a bargain. Yes, his contract guarantees him $6.5m, but in restructuring his contract the