Sure, it’s only preseason, but the Colts wanted to see which Luck would show up – the guy who went to Pro Bowls in each of his first three National Football League seasons or the turnover-prone quarterback who couldn’t stay on the field in 2015.
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If all goes according to the 49ers’ plan, arm-weary quarterback Colin Kaepernick will make his exhibition-season debut next week, and definitely not this Saturday night against the host Denver Broncos.
On an evening in which any of the Broncos quarterbacks could have made a huge impression and perhaps won a starting job, none of them looked great. The pass went for 30 yards; Ponder also had a 22-yard read-option run for a touchdown.
“I’m really impressed with our young quarterback, the way he’s practiced the last two days”, said Kubiak on Thursday.
Trevor Siemian led a nifty game-opening touchdown drive that C.J. Anderson finished with a 19-yard run, but he also was picked off by Eric Reid, who returned the interception 42 yards for the score. Kaepernick warmed up with 10-yard passes before progressing to 15 and 25 yards.
In typical Mark Sanchez fashion, the veteran somehow managed to lose two fumbles deep in San Francisco territory in the last minute of the first half. His final pass was intercepted in the last moments by cornerback Kenneth Acker.
Game Preview: For both teams, it is all about the quarterback as each team has a quarterback competition going for the starting position. No excuse for that. “There’s no excuse for that, poor, poor quarterback play”. When the Broncos’ defense forced a fumble of its own one play later, Sanchez was right back in the red zone.
“I know I can play this game, and I know I’m better than I showed [Saturday]”.
Still, the first-team offense eventually got on track with Blaine Gabbert hooking up with the guy who’s become a favorite target, tight end Vance McDonald, three times for 38 yards.
“He’s always been in the mix”, said the head coach. Linebacker Nick Bellore left the game with with a knee injury and did not return; Kelly had no information on his condition. Game Pass is offering a free 7-day trial. Trevor Siemian will get the start tonight against the 49ers.
Paxton Lynch will play the rest of the game.
Denver’s defensive starters – which included Von Miller, but not DeMarcus Ware or Aqib Talib – held the 49ers’ offense to one first down in two possessions. DT Tony Jerod-Eddie was sidelined in the first half with a chest injury.
DeAndrew White and Bryce Treggs saw a lot of action, especially as slot receivers, while Bruce Ellington remained out of team drills with a sprained ankle. The common refrain all offseason with the quarterback drama was something along these lines: “The Broncos won a Super Bowl last season, and the quarterback play can’t get any worse”.
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Ponder was out of the league last season after being released in training camp by the Oakland Raiders.
