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Sam Darnold to sign with San Francisco 49ers as insurance for Trey Lance and Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers are adding another veteran quarterback to their roster, and one who hails from their home state.

Former Carolina Panther Sam Darnold, a native of Capistrano Beach, California, and former USC Trojan, will be joining the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the matter.

Darnold, 25, will join a quarterback room that already features incumbent starter Trey Lance, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle injury Week 2 of last season, and Brock Purdy, a reserve who played San Francisco deep into playoff contention before his own injury. one to his throwing elbow, sidelined him in the NFC championship game. Purdy, who underwent successful surgery Friday, is expected to begin a throwing progression program in three months, with a full return to action still undetermined.

ESPN was the first to report the news of Darnold’s signing.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec.  18, 2022, in Charlotte, NC (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Charlotte, NC (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Darnold is coming off of an uneven season in Charlotte, which he started on injured reserve after he sustained a high-ankle sprain in the preseason finale on Aug. 26. Carolina turned to PJ Walker and Mayfield in Darnold’s absence, but eventually appointed Darnold as the starter in Week 12 and beyond.

In six games last season, Darnold completed 58.6% of his throws for 1,143 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He added 106 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. The Panthers went 4-2 in the games Darnold started, but the team just missed out on playoff contention because of their 3-8 start to the season.

This will be Darnold’s third team in the NFL after the New York Jets selected him with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He played three seasons in New York, before the team traded him to Carolina in April 2021, ahead of that year’s draft. Darnold spent two seasons with the Panthers.

He has thrown for 11,767 yards, 61 touchdowns and 55 interceptions in his five seasons in the league.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sam Darnold to sign with San Francisco 49ers as backup QB