San Francisco 49ers Place Colin Kaepernick On IR, Ending His Season

In a surprising conclusion to the quarterback drama in Santa Clara, quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s season has officially come to an end, as the team announced it will place him on season-ending injured reserve Saturday morning.

As reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, Dylan Thompson has been promoted from the practice squad to become the 49ers’ new backup QB behind Blaine Gabbert.

Kaepernick practiced for the team all week, and had been listed as probable for the 49ers upcoming contest against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Whatever the truth may be, Kaepernick is out for the remainder of what was already a disappointing 2015 National Football League season.

Kaepernick’s placement on IR on Saturday was a surprise in that he only appeared on the team’s injury report this week with the shoulder issue, but he was a full participant in practice all week.

Kaepernick began the week coming off the team’s bye with soreness in his non-throwing shoulder and he brought it to the attention of the medical staff Monday. Baalke said the quarterback sought treatment following the game and the injury wasn’t considered serious.

Kaepernick believes he injured his shoulder when he got hit by Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews in the 49ers’ October 4 loss.

Now the 49ers go into the offseason knowing Kaepernick is due $16.7 million next season and $19.3 million the season after that.

Kaepernick completed 59 per cent of his passes this season for 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games.

But then the 49ers won with Blane Gabbert as their starting quarterback letting them know just how bad Kaepernick is. He also rushed for 1,832 yards on 306 carries.

The club signed him to a $115 million contract extension through the 2020 season. That portion of the contract could make it harder for Kaepernick to be traded.

“No one contacted us relative to trading Colin”, Baalke said. “Which, obviously, if he has surgery, he’s not going to be able to play”.

The big bosses thought they were outsmarting everyone when they benched Kaepernick, gave him an earpiece to hear the play calls and let him roam the sideline with his ever-growing beard.