Ponder is one of five quarterbacks on the 49ers roster this preseason.
Advertisement
After the news of Lewis’ injury broke Monday, Niners coach Chip Kelly and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day said the team would explore options to bring in another arm.
“That’s not what I’ve been told, but it’s really a day-to-day thing”, he said.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Thad Lewis will miss the 2016 National Football League season after suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans.
But Kelly has to pick somebody to play QB for the 49ers on September 12 against the Rams, and every available sign points to Gabbert.
“I think he feels fine”, Kelly said then.
Kaepernick’s status is now undetermined for Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos. With Kaepernick out, Lewis replaced Gabbert after three possessions.
“As Marc Sessler of NFL.com put it: “(Ponder) spent time with the Broncos last season, but was quickly cut free Ponder will likely suffer an equal fate if and when Kaepernick returns to action. San Francisco had 409 yards of total offense while running Kelly’s quick-paced, no-huddle attack, but totaled just 107 in the second half.
Gabbert completed four of 10 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s preseason game against the 49ers.
“The good thing is he did settle down”, Kelly said of Gabbert. He hasn’t done much throwing since last season and the more time he doesn’t throw is less time for him to truly compete against Gabbert. “He has experience in the system, he was in Philly with us past year, he has a dynamic personality and he has a really good chemistry with the guys on our team and so he mentioned to me today that he would like to stay around and be around the program during the rehab which would be great for us”.
Blaine Gabbert overcame a shaky start to throw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Vance McDonald before the Houston Texans rallied in the second half against San Francisco’s reserves to beat the 49ers 24-13 on Sunday in the exhibition opener for both teams. “Just a little shoulder soreness”. I felt we finally got in a groove the third series.’ He understood how the no-huddle works, which we hadn’t really done that before here. His 38 snaps Sunday were the most of any 49ers offensive player, and he got hurt on a 1-yard scramble on third-and-11 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
One of Ponder’s best games came in 2012 against the 49ers. Facing Chip Kelly’s high-paced offense causes the defense to stay on the field and make mistakes, which is exactly what led to some poor tackling by the defense.
Which might happen in a few days, or a week at the longest, because it has been mostly inevitable from the start.
Advertisement
But that’s a thought for a later date, when Gabbert officially is installed as the 49ers’ starting QB.
