Colin Kaepernick believes he can still win starting job, beat out Blaine Gabbert

All indications are that Colin Kaepernick has fallen way behind in the quarterback competition in San Francisco, but he is not ready to concede that Blaine Gabbert has won the job just yet.

Kaepernick returned to practice this week after nursing a shoulder injury, and he told reporters on Wednesday that he still believes he can be the starter come Week 1.

“Yeah, most definitely,” Kaepernick said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “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.”

Kaepernick is expected to play in the 49ers’ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday. He underwent three surgeries after last season and missed most of the offseason training program. The 28-year-old then sat out of training camp with a shoulder injury that sounds somewhat concerning.

Kaepernick said it was “very, very frustrating” to not be able to practice, and he was asked if he feels the time he missed gave Gabbert the inside track on the starting job.

“I can only worry about myself,” he said. “I focus on the reps that I get and the mental reps that I’ve taken. So when I step on the field, I feel very prepared.”

If Kaepernick lights it up on Friday, Chip Kelly and his coaching staff will have a difficult decision to make. However, many reports have indicated the decision has already been made. Time will tell.