A week after completing only 1-of-5 passes for a measly four yards while being sacked five times, Colin Kaepernick is going to remain the starter at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
Kaepernick was benched this past weekend in a 26-6 loss to the Chicago Bears, but according to reports, he will start over Blaine Gabbert when the 49ers (1-11) take on the New York Jets (3-9).
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/806201745026281472
Kaepernick’s status has been up in the air since he was pulled against Chicago. It’s not like Gabbert was much better for the 49ers, though, as he was able to complete only 4-of-10 passes for 35 yards.
What Kaepernick still brings to the table that makes him worth a start is his explosiveness as a runner. Though he’s lost a few steps in his sixth NFL season, the 6-foot-4, 230 pound athlete has rushed for 393 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
It has been a terrible campaign so far for San Francisco, which is on an 11-game losing streak heading into this matchup. Kaepernick, once one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, has made more news off the field than he has on it, and he’s undoubtedly been one of the reasons fans of the 49ers have had a disappointing season down in the bay area.
Still, there’s hope — at least for this week.
The Jets have been equally disappointing in 2016, entering this game on a four-game losing streak of their own. In a matchup of two bad teams, something has got to give.
With games against the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks still left on the schedule, this may be San Francisco’s best opportunity to pick up that elusive second win.
Obviously head coach Chip Kelly feels Kaepernick gives his team the best opportunity to do so. But don’t be surprised if the plug is pulled on the one-time star again if he goes out and has another terrible performance.