Colin Kaepernick decided he would not stand for the national anthem before the 49ers game on Friday night. “We’ll sit down as a staff and see where we are”.
Advertisement
Gabbert was the guy there throughout the offseason and into training camp, he’s the guy the locker room looks to as the offensive leader, and he’ll get the chance to step into that role.
He told NFL Media he knows his decision not to stand for the anthem is controversial, but he felt he had to speak up.
Shortly thereafter, Kaepernick underwent season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. He missed the first two exhibition games this summer due to arm fatigue. It was exciting to be out there. “Wish we had done a little bit more but it was good to get out there and get my feet wet”. He had a nice run and two short completions before Carlos Hyde busted a 27-yard run. Kaepernick also took off out of the pocket on four passing plays, gaining 18 yards total but failing to pick up a first down.
Said Kelly, “He was up and down, like all of us offensively”. He already has alienated some people inside the 49ers organization, and though new head coach Chip Kelly said he has no designs on cutting his quarterback, those feelings could change – fairly or not – as this story mushrooms. He and Gabbert initially split the first-team quarterback snaps when training camp began in late July.
Tom Brady is ready to play after cutting his right thumb with scissors in a “silly accident” before the Patriots’ preseason game against the Bears last week.
Kaepernick, though, said he is still aiming to win the Week 1 job.
“No, I don’t think there was rust”, Kaepernick said. Ultimately that’s what you want to do as an offense and as a quarterback. “So I think that’ll be a big thing for next week”.
If Gabbert is good, Kaepernick fades away and is released after this season. “There’s never been a conversation about cutting Colin Kaepernick”.
Aaron Rodgers played just two series in the game, but showed flashes of his Pro-Bowl form, completing 6 of 9 passes for 60 yards and one touchdown pass.
After the first drive stalled because of penalties, Rodgers led a 14-play, 87-yard drive the next possession.
Kaepernick had not played in a game since November 8 when he relieved then-starter Gabbert for two snaps – both running plays – in a win over the Falcons.
Advertisement
“We wanted to keep our ones in for both guys”, Kelly said.
