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49ers sign Christian Ponder to bolster QB depth

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are stockpiling quarterbacks from the 2011 draft class, it seems.

Christian Ponder, the 12th overall pick in that draft, signed with the team Tuesday, joining Blaine Gabbert (10th) and Colin Kaepernick (36th) in the QB corps. Ponder filled the opening left by Thad Lewis, who went on injured reserve after tearing a knee ligament Sunday in the exhibition opener against Houston.With Kaepernick still bothered by tightness in his right shoulder -- he hasn't thrown in nearly a week -- Gabbert and rookie Jeff Driskel were the only quarterbacks available to throw Tuesday. The 49ers held a brief workout before traveling to Denver, where they'll practice Wednesday and Thursday with the Broncos before playing them Sunday night.