Christian Ponder Remains 49ers' No. 3 Quarterback

SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick will be back as the 49ers’ starting quarterback on Sunday against the New York Jets.

And coach Chip Kelly announced Blaine Gabbert will be the No. 2 quarterback on Sunday. Gabbert started the first five games of the season and replaced a struggling Kaepernick in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile, No. 3 quarterback Christian Ponder, who has not suited up for a game this season, will continue to be inactive when the 49ers face the Jets.

Kelly said there has not been any talk about moving Ponder up the depth chart. Only 46 of each team’s 53 players are allowed to suit up for games, and the No. 3 quarterback is typically inactive.

“We haven’t had any discussions about that so far,” Kelly said about Ponder being active.

Kelly had talks with quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins before deciding to stick with Kaepernick, who will make his eighth consecutive start on Sunday.

“Really, it was just who was going to be the starting quarterback against the Jets and then let’s get forward because part of game planning evolves around who’s pulling the trigger,” Kelly said. “So that was our conversation was just about who was going to start and I think both Ryan, Curtis and myself agreed that it was Kap.”

Ponder, originally the No. 12 overall pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, earned a spot on the 49ers over rookie Jeff Driskel after a solid training camp. Ponder has not attempted a pass in a regular-season game since appearing in two games with the Vikings in 2014.
 

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