When the San Francisco 49ers traded up in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft to select Trey Lance, the organization probably envisioned Lance delivering a critical win late in the season to secure a playoff birth.
But…they might not have envisioned that happening in the 2021 season. However, that might be exactly what the team needs. Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as doubtful with a thumb injury, and on Friday the organization activated Nate Sudfeld from the practice squad.
All signs are pointing to Lance getting his second NFL start on Sunday, in a critical matchup. The 49ers currently sit in the sixth spot in the NFC playoff standings, but a loss to the Texans — who beat the Los Angeles Chargers a week ago — could see San Francisco slide out of playoff position.
What can the team expect on Sunday? Let’s dive into that by looking at what Lance did the last time he started a game, and what he can expect from the Texans defense.