Former San Diego State Star Santos Signs Contact With San Francisco

Former San Diego State quarterback Todd Santos, the career record-holder for passing in National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Division I, signed as a free agent Monday with the San Francisco 49ers.

Santos, who passed for 70 touchdowns during his college career, holds 27 national, Western Athletic Conference and school passing records. He was a 10th-round draft choice of New Orleans, but was released before the season started.

Santos is the fourth quarterback in NCAA history to pass for more than 10,000 yards. He started as a freshman and broke the Division I mark with 11,425 total yards.

The signing of Santos came after starter Joe Montana suffered bruised ribs and a right elbow injury in Sunday’s 24-21 victory over the Rams. Montana is listed as probable for Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears, and Montana’s only healthy backup was Steve Young.