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San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick thinks he’s a lock as starter

By Lauren Lapaglia

Aug 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the ball during the training camp at Kezar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the ball during the training camp at Kezar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colin Kaepernick has been out due to injury since the middle of the 2015 season. If he wants to maintain his starting position with the San Francisco 49ers, it’s time for him to show something for all the boasting he’s been doing to the media.

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Colin Kaepernick has yet to make a preseason appearance with the San Francisco 49ers this season. Blaine Gabbert has taken the field as the starter at quarterback in both of the 49ers preseason games. Initially, that looks bad for Kaepernick, but he hasn’t been sidelined due to poor performance. He’s been out with a shoulder injury he sustained during training camp. Initially, his injury was reported as “shoulder tightness,” but then transitioned to calling it a “dead arm.”

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talk on the sidelines in the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talk on the sidelines in the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi /

On Friday, the 49ers are set to face the Green Bay Packers in their third preseason dress rehearsal. Chip Kelly spoke with CSN Bay Area (via Matt Maiocco) on Wednesday about who he plans to start.

"We haven’t discussed it, yet. We got two days of training to go through. We’ll see. He’s on track. We’re excited and we’re hopeful he will be ready to go. But I’m not going to put the cart before the horse. We have a system. When we get to Friday, we’ll know exactly from [head athletic trainer Jeff Ferguson] who’s up and who’s down."

Kaepernick is convinced the shoulder injury has not been a setback. He told Mercury News (via Cam Inman) on Wednesday he’s going to prove himself and he’s “most definitely” ready to take back over his team.

"“Most definitely,” said Kaepernick. “I’m going to go out and show everything I can these next two games,” Kaepernick said Wednesday, adding that he will “make sure I put my best foot forward to show this organization, this team, this coaching staff, what I’m capable of.”"

All signs point to Kaepernick finally making an appearance against the Packers at the 49ers second home game this preseason. He’s got quite a bit of talk to back up, and if San Francisco has any hope at a decent season, they’ll need Kaepernick back in top form.