The 49ers learned why having multiple capable quarterbacks, regardless of who starts, is a good thing Monday when it was revealed that third-string candidate Thad Lewis had suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Sunday’s preseason opener.
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Regardless of whether it’s the approach the team takes, it’s the best business decision if coach Chip Kelly has decided that Kaepernick’s skills don’t justify the financial commitment – which is precisely the decision Kelly previously made in Philadelphia about receiver DeSean Jackson and running back LeSean McCoy. On the other side of the coin was a pair of fumbles, one of which was scooped up and returned for a touchdown while the other occurred inside Houston’s 5-yard line.
The red and gold lost to Houston 24-13. He was off-target on his first two passes as San Francisco went three-and-out in 41 seconds on the opening drive and started the game 1 for 6 overall.
“To put on the Texan uniform, and run out of the tunnel as a team for the first time, it was certainly special”, Osweiler said.
While Hyde had his ups and downs during the preseason opener, he was still a pretty strong runner, receiving five carries for 27 yards.
“Chip doesn’t really share the science behind it, we just go out and try to execute as quickly as we possibly can”, McDonald said. The Niners tried to get him involved in the passing game, but Gabbert missed him on both throws. In terms of tempo, I thought we did well.
They had a third quarterback in camp, ready to play last week.
Practically by default, after a poor first preseason game, Gabbert is the favorite to be San Francisco’s starting quarterback. It simply is just a matter of getting through the season. The former Duke star spent a year ago on the roster as the team’s third string quarterback, not seeing any game action. I think that first drive, a couple balls he probably wants back, trying to get us on track. “But we are running downhill like you saw today”.
“We wanted to end on a high note”, Gabbert said. Gabbert is the safer play not to be laughed off the field, but there isn’t a range of outcomes where he gets you to the playoffs.
“It was fun to get out there and get our feet wet in this system”. If he can not throw on Thursday, I see no way he plays on Saturday.
If Kaepernick doesn’t play Saturday-and that now looks very doubtful-that would be half of the exhibition games, and remember, Kelly said he’d mainly use the exhibition games to decide the QB.
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Kelly is showing every sign of giving Kaepernick every chance to take the job, regardless of who he, or anybody else in the organization or any outside observers, says is the favorite right now.
