National Football League

49ers lose backup QB Thad Lewis to season-ending knee injury

Published Aug. 15, 2016 8:55 p.m. ET

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Thad Lewis will miss the entire season after tearing knee ligaments during an exhibition game.

Coach Chip Kelly said Monday that Lewis tore his ACL on a scramble Sunday against Houston and will need season-ending surgery.

The injury leaves San Francisco with just two completely healthy quarterbacks in camp. Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick are competing for the starting job although Kaepernick did not throw the last two practices last week or play in the exhibition opener because of a sore throwing shoulder.

The 49ers are hopeful that Kaepernick can return to practice this week, although Kelly said Monday he had no further information beyond Kaepernick being day to day.

Rookie Jeff Driskel is the other quarterback on the roster but he struggled throwing the ball in his debut, going 4 for 12 for 20 yards. Driskel did run for 61 yards on five carries.

Lewis was 12 for 21 for 97 yards and is the only offensive player with experience in Kelly's system after having spent last season as a backup in Philadelphia.

''I'm just really disappointed for him because I thought he played well yesterday and was really starting to come on,'' Kelly said.

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