49ers have ‘no idea’ when Colin Kaepernick will return to practice
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains sidelined after multiple offseason surgeries, and the team doesn’t know when he’ll be able to start practicing.
“I have no idea,” said 49ers offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins of a potential timetable, via NFL Media’s Kevin Patra. “We as coaches, our jobs are to coach who’s out there on the field practicing. Whenever they say Colin’s healthy, I’m sure he’ll be there. He’s around us, he’s in the meetings, he’s doing a great job. It’s not up to me when he’s released, so we’ll see.”
Kaepernick has begun some light throwing, but he doesn’t appear to be close to a full return to practice. Blaine Gabbert has been taking first-team reps, and once Kaepernick is healthy, the two are expected to compete for the starting job.
While Chip Kelly has insisted that the injuries aren’t costing Kaepernick in the upcoming quarterback competition, realistically he needs to get back on the field and start impressing reasonably soon if he wants to keep up with Gabbert and the offense. Some even believe the Niners want Kaepernick to lose out to Gabbert. Whatever the case, Kaepernick can’t really afford to get too late a start, or he may not stand any chance at the job.