Chip Kelly announced on Saturday that Blaine Gabbert is going to be the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback on Monday, September 12, when they face the Los Angeles Rams. Kelly said Colin Kaepernick is the No. 2 quarterback, with Christian Ponder as the No. 3. Kelly said the team will dress two quarterbacks on game day.
Kelly said that Gabbert’s full body of work this offseason helped him claim the starting job. He also said that Kaepernick is still working on getting back to his normal playing weight and getting fully back from his offseason of rehab. Kaepernick did not get snaps for most of the offseason workout program, and then missed two weeks of practice reps due to shoulder fatigue.
The 49ers signed Ponder after Thad Lewis went down with a torn ACL. The team drafted Jeff Driskel this past May, but they released him on Saturday. The hope is that he clears waivers and then signs to the practice squad. Ponder was busy painting his house and pondering (pun intended) retirement when the 49ers came calling. It worked out well for him.