For what it’s worth, Gabbert didn’t exactly run away with the job with his performance against the Houston Texans. Well, for the first half of his first preseason game with the 49ers, Kelly’s offense held the ball for 16 minutes and 37 seconds, winning the time of possession.
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But Kelly said the 49ers received the official confirmation of the injury on Monday morning and hadn’t yet had the chance to discuss what comes next.
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. Houston got on the board early when John Simon returned a fumble by Carlos Hyde 41 yards for a touchdown but struggled to generate any offense with its starters. I thought we executed really well.
“I think that first drive, a couple balls he probably wants back, ‘” Kelly said.
Colin Kaepernick [Photo by Michael B Thomas/Getty Images] Even if Christian Ponder beats the odds and remains with the San Francisco 49ers during the upcoming regular season, do not expect to see huge numbers from the veteran quarterback. Kelly said at the start of training camp that exhibitions would factor heavily into the quarterback race, and with Kaepernick unable to play in the first one, this absence doesn’t help his cause.
Admittedly, it’s generally not a good idea to read too much into a preseason game, and especially not the first preseason game. Well, in the end, the Cowboys took Prescott in the fourth round, and one preseason game in, they look pretty damn smart for doing so, as he went 10 of 12 for 139 yards and two touchdown passes against the Rams on Saturday night.
The 49ers were in need of a quarterback after Thaddeus Lewis was lost for the season Sunday with an ACL tear. “But there were some throws – as Blaine would tell you – he’s going to wish he had those back”. Osweiler, who was the team’s big free agent pick up, threw for only 27 yards. Driskel completed just 4-of-12 passes for a whopping 20 yards in his debut, which equates out to an average of 1.7 yards-per-completion.
49ers: First-round DL DeForest Buckner was pushed around a bit in the running game and finished with one solo tackle and two assists.
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“I don’t look at it as a leg up”, Kelly said. “It wouldn’t have been fair to put him in and then judge him on that in the competition”.
