The news was not good for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance after he broke his ankle during Week 2 of the NFL season while making a two-yard rush against the Seattle Seahawks. The 22-year old starter had surgery on Monday and just prior to the surgery, NFL Network insider, Tom Pelissero tweeted, “One small bit of good news: My understanding is not a compound fracture like Dak Prescott’s. But still a season-ending injury.”

2022 was scheduled to be Lance’s first year as a starter after playing as backup to Jimmy Garoppolo. Former quarterback, Trent Dilfer, lamented that the injury could be a career ender. “I’m bummed for Trey. I think this could be a career wrecker, to be honest with you,” he said on the “Ryen Russillo Podcast.” However, despite the news, Lance posted a picture of himself from his hospital bed after the surgery, quoting Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” After thanking his followers for their prayers, he wrote he was ready to begin rehab and, “We will never understand why, but I trust that it is all a part of His plan, and I will be back better than ever. This chapter is going to make the story even greater!”

Lance has posted openly about his faith in the past. His Twitter profile has him listed as “Child of God” and is filled with Bible verses. And while his injury has been speculated as finishing him for the season, Dr. Kevin Jung who works as a consultant for the Los Angeles Rams stated there was some hope for him to return by the 13th game of the season, which would be against the Miami Dolphins. “There could be a lot of non-medical factors that are playing a part in shutting him down — protecting their investment in the future. But usually, this injury is about 10 to 12 weeks,” he said. However, head coach of the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan has not left that open as a possibility yet.

If the injury does end up being a “career wrecker” as Dilfer predicted, Lance’s faith could lead him on a totally different trajectory. Trent Shelton, a former NFL player and Christian whose career didn’t pan out the way he’d hoped now makes his career as a motivational speaker, inspiring others to live the life God has called them to. Despite not playing in the NFL the way he wanted, God has used Trent Shelton in a different way than he ever imagined. On the other hand, football legend Kurt Warner had a hard road to his NFL career. Despite numerous setbacks, including being cut from the Green Bay Packers before his career had even taken off, he eventually overcame those obstacles and ended up playing 12 seasons in the NFL and is one of the most distinguished quarterbacks in NFL history. It will take some time to see which way God decides to take Lance’s career, whether He will lead him to some surprising opportunities outside the sport or grant him success from within, but Lance has demonstrated a faithful commitment to putting His life in God’s hands.