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49ers Preseason: Evaluating Bubble-Watch Players for Each Position

By Peter Panacy

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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49ers Gabbert Kaepernick
Aug 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) train at Kezar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

Lock: Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick

Looking Good: None

Strong Bubble: Jeff Driskel

Weak Bubble: Christian Ponder

The 49ers suffered their first serious preseason injury Sunday, when backup quarterback Thad Lewis suffered an ACL tear and will be out for the rest of the season.

The blow isn’t huge for the Niners, as Lewis probably wasn’t going to make the opening roster.

But it does leave San Francisco with just three healthy quarterbacks — four, if you want to consider tight end Blake Bell an emergency option — for the rest of the preseason. We’ll have to monitor whether or not the Niners add another camp body here.

Update: The 49ers signed free-agent quarterback Christian Ponder to make up for the loss of Lewis.

Veteran quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick are battling it out for the starter position, and Gabbert probably has the upper edge after Kap was held out of Sunday’s contest, due to arm fatigue.

Both will be on the roster though.

Rookie QB Jeff Driskel displayed solid awareness within the pocket during extended action on Sunday. But his accuracy and touch are a work in progress.

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Whether or not he makes the roster or lands on the practice squad will largely depend on whether or not head coach Chip Kelly wants to keep three quarterbacks this season.

A bold prediction may be Driskel actually starting at some point late in the year, but that’s a discussion tabled for another time.

The competition may be the biggest focal point for the 49ers this preseason, but a third-slot roster spot isn’t quite as interesting.

Next: Emerging UDFAs Threaten to Shake Up 49ers Depth Chart

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.