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NFL Rumors: Colin Kaepernick to make 49ers roster

By Rob Wolkenbrod

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi
August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi /
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After weeks of controversy, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is expected to make the team’s roster.

The last two weeks of the NFL preseason has seen 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the focus. He made headlines for his protest of the national anthem, sitting on the bench while it has been played at games. This has been one of the top stories in sports, arguably overlapping college football’s opening weekend, and the NFL regular season, which begins on September 8.

Despite the controversy, Kaepernick is expected to make the 49ers roster for the regular season, according to CSN’s Matt Maiocco.

Aside from what’s happened these past few weeks, Kaepernick had struggled in 2015. He played in nine games, starting 8 of them, and eventually got benched for Blaine Gabbert. The former Nevada star finished with 1,615 yards, six touchdown passes, and five interceptions. There had been discussion of him being moved to the Denver Broncos around the 2016 NFL Draft, with something seeming imminent. However, nothing materialized. The Broncos ended up drafting Paxton Lynch and traded for Mark Sanchez. They are going to start Trevor Siemian to begin the year.

The saga with Kaepernick is ongoing, and may continue to be as long as he protests on the sidelines. It has sparked national attention, with players speaking out in response. This makes it possible for some to even follow along with the 2011 draft pick, which could become a storyline throughout the season.

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We’ll see what’s next for Colin Kaepernick, and how much playing time he receives under head coach Chip Kelly this season. Kelly has yet to announce who’s going to start at quarterback for San Francisco, but it would seem likely it’s either going to be Kaepernick or Gabbert. Whoever it is, though, will have to work to navigate past the top of the NFC West in the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.