49ers’ Colin Kaepernick out for season with shoulder injury

Rookie Dylan Thompson, who had been on the 49ers’ practice squad, was elevated to the 53-man roster and will be Blaine Gabbert’s backup for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks in Seattle.

Rehabilitation for such a procedure is likely four to six months, which could play into a key date on Kaepernick’s contract. Kaepernick’s 2016 salary is guaranteed for injury only as long as he is cut before April 1. Seattle has now lost two games at home this season. Obviously, the pain wasn’t so excruciating at that point to keep him from playing, and the 49ers said they didn’t pay close attention to it. Not until the bye week, after he was benched for Blaine Gabbert, did Kaepernick tell the team he was dealing with a major issue the last few days. Now, the 49ers are looking at another tumultuous offseason that could be dominated by Kaepernick’s recovery from surgery set for this week. The images were sent to a specialist, Dr. Peter Millet of the Steadman Clinic in Colorado, who said the labrum tear was “significant”.

According to multiple reports, the injury was sustained during a Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The 2011 Giants, for instance, had just three full-time starters remaining three years later, one of whom was quarterback Eli Manning. Kaepernick had been listed as probable for Sunday’s game at Seattle with a left shoulder injury.

Since the current incarnation of the Seahawks began their ascent in 2012, general manager John Schneider has said his goal is for them to avoid being a team that would quickly “cruise into” contention and then nearly as quickly “cruise out”.

It’s a sad and shocking fall from grace and end to Kaepernick’s tenure in San Francisco.

Kaepernick’s tenure in San Francisco wasn’t without its highlights though, as the quarterback was responsible for leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

Kaepernick made 53 consecutive starts before getting benched November 2, with coach Jim Tomsula saying he wanted Kaepernick to “step back and breathe”. His passer rating at 78.5 is the fifth lowest in the National Football League among qualified quarterbacks, reports ESPN. Through nine games this season, Kaepernick has completed just 59 percent of his passes and also has five interceptions against only six touchdowns.

Kaepernick has compiled a 27-20 record in regular-season starts.