Fansided

Three reasons Colin Kaepernick can save the 49ers

By Megan Armstrong

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7, bottom) during the third quarter at Levi
October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7, bottom) during the third quarter at Levi /

2. Injury recovery

Kaepernick’s 2015 season ended in November when the 49ers placed him on season-ended injured reserve for his left, non-throwing shoulder that required surgery. Kaepernick went 2-6 as a starter in 2015.

The plus side to Gabbert starting the first five weeks of 2016 is that Kaepernick has had five more weeks to get fully healthy. There are no excuses for Kaepernick once he steps in on Sunday. And given how poorly he played last season, opposing defenses will not be expecting vintage dynamic Kaepernick. He has a chance to come in and capitalize on the element of surprise like he did in 2012.

At the time, ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez wrote that the placed on IR could be the end of Kaepernick’s career with the team. This sentiment was not only because of his injury, if at all because of his injury, but because of his disappointing play prior to it.

While Kaepernick’s element of surprise gives the 49ers an opportunity to get better, there’s also a real possibility that what Kaepernick displayed in 2015 is simply who he is as a quarterback now, and that version of Kaepernick the quarterback will not help the 49ers this season or any season in the future.