SANTA CLARA — In desperate need of a healthy quarterback, the 49ers have signed free agent Christian Ponder, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
The No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Ponder last appeared in a regular season game in 2014, with the Minnesota Vikings. He was with the Oakland Raiders last preseason and was on the Denver Broncos’ roster for two games in 2015 before being released.
So far in his career, the 28-year-old has thrown 38 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 75.9. The 2012 season was Ponder’s most successful, where he led the Vikings to a 10-6 record, tossing 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Thad Lewis (ACL) is out for the season and Colin Kaepernick (arm fatigue) has not thrown a football in six days. The 49ers currently have just two healthy quarterbacks — Blaine Gabbert and rookie Jeff Driskel. Lewis was placed on injured reserve as the corresponding move.
It’s unlikely Ponder will make the team, but stranger things have happened before in the NFL.