San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly stated today, prior to the team kicking off their first practice of a three-day mandatory minicamp, that QB Colin Kaepernick would participate in individual drills. However, he will not participate in 7-on-7 or team drills as he had not yet been cleared medically to do so.
Chip Kelly says Colin Kaepernick will do individual work, but no 7-on-7 or team drills.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) June 7, 2016
"He's practicing. He's just not going to do team and seven-on-seven. But, he's been cleared to do individual drills," said Kelly prior to today's practice. Kaepernick is expected to be completely ready to go by training camp in July. It was reported on Monday by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Kaepernick would not be cleared for this week's minicamp.
RELATED Rapoport: Colin Kaepernick won't be cleared for minicamp this week
Kaepernick has been rehabbing from multiple surgeries. Kaepernick tore a ligament in his throwing hand's thumb during an October 22 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. During his next game, a November 1 matchup against the St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick said that he suffered a bone bruise and cracked cartilage. That game would be his last of the season before being benched in favor of QB Blaine Gabbert and eventually placed on injured reserve.
A quarterback competition between Kaepernick and Gabbert will kick off once Kaepernick is fully cleared medically. Prior to today, he has been limited to throwing with trainers on the side of the practice field and mimicking quarterback motions while on the practice field. However, he has been able to fully participate in the classroom as the team installs a new offense.
"We as coaches, our jobs are to coach who's out there on the field practicing. Whenever they say Colin's healthy, I'm sure he'll be there. He's around us, he's in the meetings, he's doing a great job. It's not up to me when he's released, so we'll see," said offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins last week.
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