Around the NFL

Christian Ponder signs with San Francisco 49ers

Published: Aug 16, 2016 at 09:06 AM

Marc Sessler

The quarterback-needy Niners have found a veteran helper.

Former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who hasn't thrown a pass since 2014, signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, the team announced.

San Francisco needed another body after watching journeyman Thad Lewis go down with a season-ending ACL tear. Colin Kaepernick, meanwhile, is dealing with a "dead arm" and hasn't thrown a pass at practice in six days.

Kaepernick didn't dress in Sunday night's preseason loss to the Texans, leaving presumptive starter Blaine Gabbert, Lewis and rookie Jeff Driskel to deal with Houston's defense.

Ponder isn't about to save the day, but he brings experience with 36 (comprehensively up-and-down) career starts at the pro level. He 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. Barring some sort of wild on-field uprising, Ponder, in 2016, is the dictionary definition of a camp arm.

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