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Denver may soon add another quarterback to its roster.
With Peyton Manning expected to miss at least two more weeks with a foot injury, the Broncos are expected to workout free agent quarterback Christian Ponder on Wednesday, first reported by DenverBroncos.com's Andrew Mason and later reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and several others.
Manning out this week and next week. That #broncos are working out QBs says they are bracing for extended absence. There is no timetable
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 25, 2015
Denver had placed a waiver claim on former Bears QB Jimmy Clausen, who was instead awarded to Ravens, according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis. After missing out of Clausen, Klis reports that Denver made arrangements to bring in Ponder.
Ponder, 27, would give Denver more depth at the position, joining starter Brock Osweiler and rookie Trevor Siemian to give the Broncos three healthy QBs.
With 36 starts under his belt, Ponder would provide an experienced relief option.
You would bring Ponder in to avoid having this year's Broncos be last year's Cardinals w/ Ryan Lindley. Ponder can be steady, competent.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 25, 2015
Ponder played quarterback at Florida State before being selected twelfth overall by the Vikings in the 2011 NFL draft. Over the next four seasons, he went 632-of-1,057 (59.8%) for 6,658 yards, 38 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He added 639 yards and seven more scores on the ground.
In his lone game against Denver in 2011, Ponder went 29-of-47 for 381 yards, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. Denver, led by Tim Tebow at the time, won 35-32.
In 2013, injuries and poor play led to Ponder starting only nine games, with a 2-6-1 record in those contests. Minnesota drafted Teddy Bridgewater the following offseason and Ponder lost his starting job. He went 14–21–1 during his time with the Vikings.
Ponder played with the Raiders this preseason but did not make the final cut. He has since worked out for the Cowboys and Titans. His last start—Week 5 2014—was a 42-10 loss to Green Bay.
This story has been updated from its original version to properly attribute the Ponder report to Andrew Mason, include information about Denver's interest in Jimmy Clausen, and add a tweet from the Denver Post's Troy Renck.