49ers lose Lewis after knee injury

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

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.