Thad Lewis is out for the season with a torn ACL, and while some fans will shrug at the injury’s importance, it does have an impact on the 49ers’ day-to-day operation.
Lewis was the de facto mentor in the quarterback’s room, having spent all of last season in Philadelphia with Chip Kelly. Teammates raved about his demeanor and his smarts in the film room. If he’s kept on injured reserve, he can still be around the team, a wise option.
More glaringly, Chip Kelly needs a reserve quarterback to eat up snaps in practice and in the preseason.
With all the drills the 49ers are set to run this week in joint practices with the Denver Broncos, two healthy quarterbacks won’t not enough to get by. Earlier on Monday, we posted an item from a respected orthopedic surgeon who questioned how and why Colin Kaepernick suffered arm fatigue. San Francisco is one Blaine Gabbert hit away from sixth-round pick Jeff Driskel being the only upright quarterback.
The problem is that it’s going to be extreme complex for a QB to walk in off the streets and speak Kelly’s offense fluently — unless it’s Michael Vick.
Here’s a quick list of options GM Trent Baalke and Kelly are probably glossing over as we speak. Although this guy will likely just collect a paycheck in the preseason, bringing in somebody is arguably a necessity.
Jimmy Clausen: An assistant coach in the AFC told KNBR.com Clausen is the best free agent on the market, but the 49ers may not be looking for nothing more than a warm body. The 28-year-old recently worked out with Lions and Redskins. He started two games last season for the Ravens, throwing 2 TDs, 3 INT and 555 yards — but Baltimore was blown out in both starts. Drafted by the Carolina Panthers and replaced the following season by Cam Newton, Clausen immediately became a backup. Some feel he never got the proper chance to succeed. If Kaepernick’s shoulder injury is going to be lingering, this could be the rout the 49ers take.
Josh Freeman: It’s hard to believe the 28-year-old’s epic fall from grace. Once seen as the future of the Buccaneers organization, Freeman busted right before our eyes. He did have one start in 2015 for the Colts, leading Indianapolis to a 30-24 win over the Titans. He went 15-for-28 in the Week 17 matchup, tossing 149 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. The latest report is that his agent was calling Dallas, urging the team to give him a look.
Michael Vick: He’s the interesting name, but probably too big of a distraction to bring into the fold at this point. The 36-year-old Vick has history with Kelly. In his first-ever NFL game back in 2013, Vick helped the Eagles torch the Redskins on Monday Night Football. But when Vick went down with an injury, Kelly turned to Nick Foles and never looked back. Vick posted a 2-1 record last season with the Steelers when filling in for Ben Roethlisberger, but was let go this offseason. Like Freeman, he recently lobbied for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to sign him as Tony Romo’s backup.
Tavaris Jackson: The Seattle Times is reporting the Seahawks would consider bringing Jackson back if new backup Trevone Boykin falls flat in the preseason, but the rookie threw a Hail Mary touchdown pass to beat the Chiefs this weekend. Jackson appeared in four games of mop-up duty with the Seahawks last season and hasn’t started a game since 2011 Jackson’s wife famously taunted him after he threatened to shoot her with a gun.
Other names Baalke could consider: Ryan Lindley, Pat Devlin, Phillip Simms, Bryn Renner, Garrett Gilbert