Colin Kaepernick may need his second surgery since being placed on the IR of the San Francisco 49ers back in late November.
He had a torn labrum surgically repaired a few days afterwards, and now Mindi Bach of CSN Bay Area reports he is headed back to The Steadman clinic to have a torn ligament in his throwing hand looked at.
Colin Kaepernick is returning to The Steadman clinic to have a torn ligament in his throwing hand addressed. May require surgery. #49ers
— Mindi Bach (@MBachSports) January 4, 2016
Ligament injuries usually require lengthy recovery times, meaning Kaepernick might not be healed up in time for his ever-important physical before the April 1 deadline. If he’s still on the roster at that time, or cannot pass a physical, then his $11.9 million base contract becomes fully guaranteed for the 2016 season.
Of course, as much as it appeared he’d be on the outs in San Francisco this season, perhaps things have already changed given the recent firing of head coach Jim Tomsula. The 49ers are looking for an offensive-minded head coach, and the list of names being thrown around for the job includes Chip Kelly, Sean Payton, Mike Holmgren, who has expressed interest in the job, among others.
This could mean Kaepernick would be much more inclined to stay on the roster, and that the 49ers are more inclined to keep him, than was reported in the middle of the season.
Though the past two years have been exceedingly difficult for the young man, there is no doubt he still possesses the talent to become a league superstar and a consistent performer on the field.