49ers place Colin Kaepernick on injured reserve, promote Dylan Thompson

According to several sources, Kaepernick first noticed pain in his left shoulder against Green Bay on October 4, though it’s hard to pinpoint when he got injured during the game.

Speculation is building that this could also mean the end of the line for Kaepernick with the 49ers.

But after the team submitted the injury report, Kaepernick returned to the training staff Friday and said the shoulder wasn’t making any progress and then asked about his options.

“It was mutual”, general manager Trent Baalke said via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

“I think that helped a lot for the spot I’m in now”, the rookie said.

Kaepernick gave them control over the situation because he signed that deal-I kept saying I didn’t understand it; I kept saying the ONLY beneficiary was the Yorks’ pocketbooks (no big bonus).

Meanwhile, Baalke thought Gabbert “played well” in his starting debut, a 17-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons on November 8.

Because Kaepernick remains under contract to the 49ers, it is likely the team’s medical staff will oversee his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. The flexed bicep and full-on tats are distant memories now, as are the claims of supposed experts – “I truly believe Colin Kaepernick could be one of the greatest quarterbacks ever”, said Ron Jaworski – that he was revolutionizing the most important position in team sports.

The San Francisco 49ers promoted Dylan Thompson from the practice squad to serve as Blaine Gabbert’s backup at quarterback for Sunday’s game at Seattle.

In his weekly day-after press conference, coach Jim Tomsula had implied that more than just Bethel-Thompson would be on the way. The 49ers can avoid paying his $11.9 million base salary if he is traded or release by April 1.

Kaepernick had been placed on season-ending injured reserve prior to last Sunday’s contest versus the Seattle Seahawks.

Kaepernick finishes the season with a career-low 78.5 passer rating.

Kaepernick had been a model of durability previously in his 49ers tenure.

“He’s no different than any other player on IR. When there’s surgery, then there’s the rehab process, and then getting reading for the season is the next step”.

The midseason drama was compelling, given how Kaepernick’s play has declined over the past few seasons.

Kaepernick dropped to 1-6 in seven starts against the Seahawks with three touchdown passes to nine interceptions and 24 sacks, including the NFC championship game loss in January 2014.