Fooch’s update: Kaepernick did not throw in team drills, but was seen throwing a bit on the sideline. That is an improvement.
The San Francisco 49ers are starting their joint practice with the Denver Broncos, and while Colin Kaepernick is dressed and in pads, he is not throwing the football with the other quarterbacks. The team is doing individual work initially, and Kaepernick is taking drop-backs at the same as other quarterbacks. However, while they are throwing the ball, Kaepernick is not. He has been dropping back and taking the mental rep.
This will mark the fifth event (four practices, one game) where Kaepernick has not been throwing with the other quarterbacks. He continues to observe and participate in practice, but his throwing arm seems to remain an issue for the time being.
If Kaepernick is unable to fully practice today, odds decrease dramatically that he plays on Saturday. If he cannot throw on Thursday, I see no way he plays on Saturday. Chip Kelly had been dividing the snaps up evenly prior to the arm fatigue, so it seemed like we had a serious quarterback competition. I do think Kaepernick’s arm is legitimately tired. I don’t think he would put up with the team saying it was if it was not. However, it does make it easier for the team to turn the starting job over to Gabbert fully. If Kaepernick is unable to play this weekend against Denver, his chances of claiming the starting job for Week 1 of the regular season seem remote. He could still get time later in the season, but odds are increasing by the day that Gabbert is the Week 1 starter.