Just when it looked like Christian Ponder might be out of the NFL, the former Vikings first-round pick has landed a new gig.
The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday they have signed Ponder to a one-year deal.
Ponder, who was originally selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Vikings, is expected to add depth at the position for the 49ers, who placed quarterback Thad Lewis on injured reserve Tuesday.
Go Niners
— Christian Ponder (@cponder7) August 16, 2016
Pro Football Talk notesSan Francisco has just two healthy quarterbacks in Blaine Gabbert and rookie sixth-round pick Jeff Driskel. Lewis was hurt in the first preseason game and Kaepernick hasn’t been healthy enough to see any preseason action.
Interestingly enough Ponder, Gabbert and Kaepernick are all from the 2011 NFL Draft Class.
Ponder spent four seasons with the Vikings (2011-14) and started 36 games. He threw for 6,658 yards and 38 touchdowns, while rushing for 639 additional yards and seven more scores with Minnesota.
He spent training camp with the Raiders last season, but has been out of the NFL after he was released following a brief stint in Denver last December.
