It's a Good Night for 49ers Quarterbacks

San Francisco's Gabbert, Driskel and Ponder are sharp in the game and Kaepernick looks healthy in pregame drills

Saturday was a great night to be a 49ers quarterback.

In San Francisco’s 31-24 exhibition victory over the Broncos in Denver, all three quarterbacks who suited up – Blaine Gabbert, Jeff Driskel and Christian Ponder – were sharp, combining to complete 19-of-24 throws for 216 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions.

Even Colin Kaepernick, who didn’t play, had a good night.

Kaepernick, who’s been sidelined with a sore shoulder, threw more than 50 passes in a 25-minute pregame workout and apparently may be fit enough again to resume full action this coming week, reported Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Inman reported Kaepernick threw a variety of passes and looked strong, with good velocity on his throws.

Kaepernick has missed both exhibitions the 49ers have played, and will need to show what he can do over the next two games if he hopes to wrest the starting job from Gabbert.

Gabbert started against Denver and completed 6-of-9 passes for 69 yards. Rookie Jeff Driskel relieved him and completed 6-of-7 for 66 yards, and was followed by the recently-signed Ponder, who was 7-of-8 for 86 yards, including a 30-yard TD strike to Dres Anderson. Ponder also ran 22 yards for a TD.

Overall, it was a big night for the 49ers offense, which passed for 216 yards and ran for 181. Rookie Kelvin Taylor had an impressive night with seven carries for 43 yards, including one burst for 24 yards.

The 49ers, now 1-1 this preseason, next face the Packers Friday, Aug. 26.

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