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by
Rocky Rogers
Colin Kaepernick played in a football game for the first time in 292 days Friday night.
And he looked like a quarterback playing for the first time in 292 days.
Kaepernicks attempts to shake off nine-plus months of rust were overwhelmingly unsuccessful in the 49ers 21-10 preseason loss to the Packers at Levis Stadium. He completed 2 of 6 passes for 14 yards in three possessions, which netted one first down and three punts. His last three passes, all incompletions, were either batted down or tipped by Green Bay defenders.
On a night when the 49ers managed 11 first downs and 195 yards, head coach Chip Kelly offered that Kaepernick was up and down, I think, like all of us offensively.
The obvious conclusion: Blaine Gabbert will start the regular-season opener against the Rams on Sept. 12.
For his part, Kelly said he wasnt ready to announce a starter: Well sit down as a staff and kind of see where we are, he said.
Gabbert earning the job, of course, was the likely outcome before kickoff, unless Kaepernick could summon his early career magic in his preseason debut. Instead, the evening provided a bit more pain for Kaepernick, who missed all but three offseason practices after undergoing three surgeries and was sidelined for the first two exhibition games with a shoulder injury.
Wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) of the Green Bay Packers attempts to make a catch in the end zone as he is being defended by cornerback Jimmy Ward (25) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on
Wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) of the Green Bay Packers attempts to make a catch in the end zone as he is being defended by cornerback Jimmy Ward (25) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of … more
Still, Kaepernick provided a relatively positive assessment of his 2016 debut.
I dont think there was rust, Kaepernick said. It just felt good being back on the field. Just excited to be out there ” wish we would have done a little bit more. But it was good to get out there and get my feet wet…
I think overall I felt confident in my reads. I felt confident in what the offense was doing. We just have to be more productive on first and second down to stay out of those third and longs.
The 49ers will play their preseason finale Thursday in San Diego, a game in which the majority of starters typically dont play. However, Kaepernick still believes he could win the Week 1 starting assignment.
I think so, Kaepernick said. Thats really up to Chip and the coaching staff, but in my mind I can go out and win it.
Before Kaepernick was shelved this summer, Kelly said he wanted both quarterbacks to have snaps with the first-team offense in the preseason so they could be evaluated fairly. And Kelly followed through Friday. He started Gabbert and explained that decision by saying he was just concerned about both players getting snaps with the first team. Kaepernick was asked whether he wanted to start Friday.
Thats not something thats up to me, he said. I just go out and do the best with the position Im put in. So I want to make sure I give my all to this team and put my best foot forward.
Gabbert played the first two series and completed 2 of 3 passes for 14 yards. On his first drive, he overthrew a deep pass to wide receiver Quinton Patton, who had beaten cornerback Sam Shields and was all alone for a potential 75-yard touchdown.
Colin Kaepernick played in a
football game
for the first time in 292 days Friday night. And he looked like a quarterback playing for the first time in 292 days.
Article Source:
eArticlesOnline.com}