By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder gets tuned at camp in Engelwood Colo on Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s game in Denver

The quarterback controversy for the San Francisco has gotten even stranger this week after a report came out on Monday that 3rd string quarterback, Thad Lewis had torn his ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans. With Colin Kaepernick struggling to come back from shoulder stiffness, San Francisco has brought in free agent, Christian Ponder. Ponder, who played limited minutes last season in Oakland and Denver.

It’s this week in Denver where he is expected to play some time for the 49ers after studying the playbook for an extensive part of the week. The quarterback battle right now seems like a giant game of hot potato with not one single player stepping up to take a solid lead.

Blaine Gabbert, who is technically in first place, did not impress on Sunday against the Texans in the three drive he saw, going just four of ten passing for 63 yards and a touchdown. It should be even tougher this Sunday against the Broncos, who have the league’s top defense. He really needs to step up against the competition if he wants to create distance between himself and Kaepernick for the starting spot.

While things loom gloomy at the quarterback position, at least the running back position is something to take pride in for Chip Kelly and the 49ers, rushing for over 236 yards. However, Kelly needs to see more out of expected starter Carlos Hyde who finished with only 27 yards on five carries. It was Mike Davis that impressed the most, rushing for 72 yards.

San Francisco’s first-team defense did a great job last week against Houston. Another good outing could give confidence to the Niners only hope at having a redeeming season. Especially after it was announced earlier this week that San Francisco has the worst Las Vegas playoff odds, as well as ranking dead last in ESPN’s initial power rankings.

Denver is looking at a quarterback competition of their own, after losing Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency. Trevor Siemian will start against the Niners, after backing up Mark Sanchez in last week’s win over Chicago. Rookie, Paxton Lynch is expected to get third-team reps for Gary Kubiak.

It’s expected that the defending Super Bowl Champions blow out the 49ers, but the score won’t be the biggest story on Saturday for San Francisco as many questions need to be answered.