49ers’ Trey Lance reportedly throwing better with healthy finger

San Francisco 49ers quarterback and 2021 rookie Trey Lance may not be experiencing any problems regarding his “arm fitness” this spring, but it appears a different physical setback limited his on-the-field production throughout his rookie season. 

Lance initially injured the index finger on his throwing hand during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders last August when his hand accidentally collided with an opponent’s helmet. The 22-year-old admitted in May that he “kind of dealt with my finger throughout the season” and that he couldn’t straighten the digit fully until earlier this year. 

With veteran Jimmy Garoppolo still recovering from the March surgery he underwent to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder, Lance has served as San Francisco’s QB1 for recent workouts and the club’s mandatory minicamp. Per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, sources say that Lance’s passes have been “more crisp and tighter” now that his finger is considered healed. 

The story adds that Lance has flashed “quite a bit more velocity” and has been spotted throwing a “slightly more accurate deep ball” late this spring.

“I think the finger for me was the biggest thing just as far as throwing the ball,” Lance remarked about the setback several weeks ago. “I kind of had to learn how to throw the ball differently without using my pointer finger I guess just because of where it was at throughout the year. But now, I feel like I’m in a great spot health-wise and throwing the ball well and I feel really good.” 

Updated reports and rumors continue to suggest the 49ers will “eventually” release Garoppolo rather than have him compete with Lance during training camp and the preseason. Assuming that’s the case, it would indicate head coach Kyle Shanahan and company aren’t concerned about Lance’s finger moving forward.