49ers injury news: Trey Lance will miss a week with a “small chip fracture” on his finger

Kyle Shanahan said Lance has a “microchip of a bone that’s off” and that’s it’s worse than a jam.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media Monday on a conference call to provide injury updates. He discussed linebackers coach Johnny Holland, who announced that the multiple myeloma cancer he first got in September of 2019 has returned. Starting on September 6, Holland will take some time away from the team to receive treatment.

Shanahan raved about Holland, the coach and the person, and how he’s made everyone better, but, more importantly, how genuine of a human Holland is.

Shanahan ended by saying, “whenever he’s ready to come back and coach, we’ll welcome him.”

Injury updates

WR Travis Benjamin remains in the concussion protocol.

LT Shon Coleman has a tricep strain, and he’ll be “out a while,” per Shanahan. Hello, Jaylon Moore.

The only other injury was Trey Lance, who has a “small chip on his finger.” He’ll be out “about seven days,” per Shanahan, who hopes Lance returns next Monday when the team returns to practice to prep for the Lions.

Shanahan said, “I’m not going to get into which finger it is. It’s one of his five.” It looks as if Lance jammed his thumb on the helmet of a Raiders defender during the two-minute drill towards the end of the first half.

Shanahan added it was a “microchip of a bone that’s off.” It’s a small chip fracture that’s worse than a jam. Lance can’t take snaps. He needs to let it “naturally heal.”

Apparently, the injury wasn’t bothering Lance much. Shanahan isn’t worried about Lance missing out on preparation as the team’s practice schedule is light this week. They’ll practice on Wednesday and Thursday, then are off from Friday-Sunday.

Development vs. winning

Shanahan was asked how he manages the difference between playing Lance and letting him develop versus winning games:

“That’s why I try to make it start with, ‘What gives us the best chance to win.’ If you’re not, I don’t feel like you’re being fair to people. At the same time, I get spending the draft picks for a young quarterback.

You got to do what’s right for that guy too. I think what’s been tough for Trey is; he didn’t get to play football last year. So regardless of what happens, I’m always trying to make sure that Trey doesn’t go a whole nother year without playing football.

We’re gonna make sure that we do what’s best for him, getting him reps on the practice field, hopefully in games too, and we’ll see how this all pans out.”