Chip Kelly: Colin Kaepernick ‘on track’ to play versus Packers

“I’m going to go out and show everything I can these next two games and make sure I put my best foot forward to show this organization, this team, this coaching staff what I’m capable of”.

“I m not a big hypothetical guy”, Kelly began. He would not go into details, other than to say if they want to see what all four can do, they need play all four.

Tongue firmly planted in cheek, Kelly didn’t stop there.

If the 49ers are not going to contend this season, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference who wins the starting quarterback job. All I hear was about how well Kaepernick would do in Kelly’s offense. “Wouldn’t it be cool?”

“We re a real literal, black-and-white deal”. We’re going to sit down and find out exactly who’s available. I would hope that based on what he s done, he ll be available. “If he’s available, he’s going to play”.

According to the report, Kaepernick has practiced without a pitch count this week.

Kelly’s retort: “Sure. Hypothetically”. With Kaepernick finally cleared to practice in full and suit up for this game, it will be interesting to see how much of a split he gets with the first team.

Kaepernick, who returned practice Monday after being sidelined 10 days with a shoulder injury, said he believes he still has a shot to beat out Blaine Gabbert. “We’ve still got a ways to go before we play”. “He s on track and we re excited”. “I’m very excited about what we’re capable of doing and the opportunities we do have”.

Kaepernick is reportedly back to throwing at his normal velocity this week. Kaepernick was ruled out for the game towards the end of the week but was able to perform a lengthy throwing session pre game. He briefly threw on the side last Wednesday and Thursday in join practices at the Denver Broncos facility, and unleashed over 50 passes in Saturday’s pregame warmups.

Baalke said the two had a “good conversation”, but Kaepernick didn’t go as far as to call it that.

“He’s been sharp with all things mentally”, Kelly said. “There’s always a little bit – when you take some time off from the physical standpoint – there may be a ball that was behind from a timing standpoint, but there’s no indecision where he doesn’t know where he’s going”. That being said, a poor showing in week three for Gabbert or simply the continual slow start could keep the decision alive for Chip Kelly.