49ers Have High Hopes for Young 2022-2023 Team, but Past Demons are Slowing Progress

Injuries are already at the forefront for San Francisco

The 2022 San Francisco 49ers focused on a desire to play the young guys and write a new chapter in the Kyle Shanahan era. Unfortunately for them, sports rarely go according to plan, and right now the 49ers are scrambling to get back on that track.

In just the first two weeks of the season, San Francisco has lost multiple up-and-coming stars. Running back Elijah Mitchell is out for two months with a MCL sprain in his knee, while his backup Tyrion Davis-Price can’t play due to a high ankle sprain. This leaves veteran Jeff Wilson Jr and undrafted rookie free agent Jordan Mason as the lead running backs for the red and gold.

Painfully, they also lost 2021 first round pick Trey Lance, the future of the franchise, to a season-ending broken ankle in week two. Current starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo spoke out in support of Lance.

“Trey is our brother,” Garoppolo said. “We’ll pick him up.” 

In the offseason, huge contention around the starting quarterback arose, with the intention of trading or releasing former starter Jimmy Garoppolo. His two NFC championships and Super Bowl appearance brought him back to the team just weeks before the first kickoff on a one year restructured deal–and right about now, the team is thanking the stars they did. 

Despite a rough start, not all is doom and gloom for San Francisco. The franchise recently extended Dre Greenlaw’s contract, and for the moment have avoided significant injuries to the star side defensive front. After a loss amidst a monsoon in Chicago, San Francisco rebounded on Sept. 18 against the Russell-Wilson-less Seahawks, with a final score of 27-7. 

Much like last season, San Francisco will have to scratch and claw to make the playoffs. With no Lance, no Mitchell, and no Davis-Price, the team will clamor to get the job done. 

That said, from both his and the team’s perspective, it is time to move forward and come together. While there was some instability in regards to the quarterback battle, they all know it’s time to push forward. The NFL is a ruthless business, and it won’t wait for the 49ers to catch up.

In the next six weeks, San Francisco plays teams like the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs–some of the best teams on paper this season. While they will have some easier games against the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, there are no weeks off. Like we saw at the end of the 2022 season, every game will require an all-out performance.

The 2022-2023 season will be jam-packed with action, a routine experience for the 49ers in recent years. This year will be a matter of tapping into past experience–fans know it, the team knows it, and most importantly the front office knows it. The draft, free agency and preseason are long gone. With the support of the Bay, it’s time for San Francisco to take on the shakier NFC West Division in stride.