Final Projections for the 49ers’ 53-man Roster
Quarterbacks
Active Roster: Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, Christian Ponder
Cut: Jeff Driskel
Blaine Gabbert, despite having the advantage of playing two games unopposed by Colin Kaepernick, has done nothing to win the starting job.
Gabbert has been wildly inaccurate in all three of his preseason appearances but appears to have pretty much won the job by default due to Kaepernick’s inability to play in the first two games.
The absence of Kaepernick and his disappointing play against the Green Bay Packers, where he completed just two passes for 14 yards, handed the initiative to Gabbert.
Per @MikeGarafolo, sounds like #49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will likely make the roster. He stated his case to be 1 of their 2 best QBs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2016
But Kaepernick bounced back in the finale with the San Diego Chargers, going 11 of 18 for 103 yards while adding 38 yards on the ground, a performance that presents him as a viable alternative should Gabbert struggle early in the season and makes him tough for the Niners to cut despite the distraction of his refusal to stand for the national anthem.
A third quarterback is not viewed as completely necessary in the modern-day NFL but, after scoring four touchdowns in three games, Christian Ponder has earned the right to serve as a safety net should both Gabbert and Kaepernick fail.
Rookie Jeff Driskel’s hopes sadly ended when he threw two interceptions in four passes in San Diego, though he could land on the practice squad.
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