Well, there’s your new quarterback depth! The San Francisco 49ers have signed Christian Ponder to a one-year contract. He joins a roster that lost Thad Lewis to a torn ACL, and has been without Colin Kaepernick throwing the ball since last Wednesday. The team made room for Ponder by placing Thad Lewis on injured reserve.
Blaine Gabbert is the favorite to win the 49ers starting quarterback job, and Ponder’s addition likely will not threaten that. The team only has two healthy quarterbacks right now, so Ponder gives them an arm for this weekend against Denver, and beyond if needed. Kaepernick has not been ruled out this week, but he did not throw on Tuesday, which means he has not thrown a football in team drills since last Wednesday.
I suppose Ponder could surprise, and we can’t say anything is out of the realm of the possible in this competition, but for the time being, Ponder is a camp body.