Tight shoulder limits QB Colin Kaepernick at 49ers practice

We’re not going to allow them to get hit in practice.

Kaepernick did suit up for Friday’s practice and lined up with the second-string unit for about five snaps, all of which were running plays, including one he ran himself.

As the 49ers forge ahead this week with a practice against the Houston Texans on Friday in advance of their matchup in the exhibition opener on Sunday, the scrutiny will increase on both quarterbacks.

“They understand you have to play with emotion, not let emotion play with you”, Kelly said.

“So, really the big determination with those guys will be the preseason games are going to be huge for those guys”.

Tackle Joe Staley said he hasn’t fought in a practice since his rookie year, when he came out on the losing end of a scuffle with linebacker Jeff Ulbrich.

That said, you have to believe he’s going to do everything in his power to play.

-Offensive tackle Anthony Davis, who came off the reserve/retirement list at the beginning of training camp, has done everything asked of him and has rebuilt trust through almost two weeks of training camp, Kelly said.

“We are going to split it right down the middle”.

The 49ers have spent the entire off-season as well as the early portion of camp acclimating to the rapid-fire pace of play instituted by Kelly. “It’s a great way to gauge yourself”. “I’ve done it in the past a couple times with the Patriots and once with the Ravens”. That’s a pretty scary thought, and it may give the edge to the 28-year-old QB. Gabbert has more reps working in Kelly’s system.

The 49ers host their first preseason matchup on Sunday against the Texans. “That’s why we had planned on actually taking yesterday off”, Kelly said.

O’Brien told reporters in Houston he liked the opportunity for the team to get out of the area and build chemistry, as well as to see something different.

O’Neil said he and Godsey have talked about whether there are any different looks they would like to see Friday in practice that they aren’t able to see as much when they go up against their own teams. For example, when it comes to precision, neither player has been Mr. Accuracy in this camp, with members of the Niners’ secondary consistently getting their hands on the ball for pass breakups or interceptions.

As it stands, missing any time is not good for Kaepernick, with Blaine Gabbert continuing to live up to his solid-but-not-superb expectations for the season.

Kaepernick had surgery on his left shoulder last November, and he had procedures on his right thumb and left knee in January.

Kaepernick’s status is uncertain for Sunday, but he said he “most definitely” expects to start a game during the preseason.