Colin Kaepernick (7) will start for the 49ers against the Bills. Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Colin Kaepernick is back as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.
Sunday’s contest against the Buffalo Bills will mark Kaepernick’s first start under first-year coach Chip Kelly.
Kaepernick has been second-string behind struggling Blaine Gabbert for the first five games of this season. But with the 49ers sputtering with a 1-4 record, Kelly is hoping Kaepernick can spark the offense.
“I think we were very analytical and sat down as a staff and watched tape and went over everything,” Kelly told reporters. “We’ve had a couple days to kind of digest everything, where we are.
“I think offensively, we need to be better and we need to just make a move. It’s not Blaine’s fault. I think it’s just as a group, offensively, we need to be better in a lot of ways, so we’re going to see what we can do to make a move here.
“It’s really one of the only maneuvers we can make based on our depth, where we are, and what we’re doing.”
Kaepernick’s last start came during a 27-6 loss to the then-St. Louis Rams on Nov. 1. He played in one more contest before being ruled out for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Kaepernick was unable to compete for the starting job in the offseason as he recovered from shoulder, thumb and knee surgeries.
His performance last season also left a lot to be desired. Kaepernick passed for just 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games.
Gabbert passed for 890 yards with five touchdowns against six interceptions in this season’s five starts. He struggled badly in Thursday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals when he was intercepted twice while completing 18 of 31 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown.
“It’s extremely frustrating,” Gabbert said about the performance. “I let this team and this organization down, and did not play good whatsoever and that’s on me. I had two crucial turnovers there that led to points for the Cardinals, and that was the difference in the game right there.
“I’ve got to do a better job protecting the football and leading this team to scoring more points and winning games.”
Kaepernick has received more attention for his national anthem protests than with his play this season. Kaepernick is kneeling for the anthem to bring attention to social injustices and police brutality.
