Kaepernick fires away in pregame throwing session
Two days after head coach Chip Kelly said the plan was for Kaepernick to play against Green Bay, the 49ers quarterback fired many passes with his customary velocity during an extended throwing session before Saturday’s game against the Broncos.
Kelly has said preseason games will be the biggest factor in determining whether Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert is the regular-season starter, and Kaepernick has missed the first two games.
With defensive linemen Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner already sitting out, the 49ers dealt with more attrition to their front seven in the first half Saturday.
Another defensive lineman, Tony Jerod-Eddie, started but exited in the first quarter with a chest injury and did not return.
Armstead missed his second preseason game because of a shoulder injury that has limited him since he suffered it in practice Aug. 7.
Receivers Ellington (ankle) and DeAndre Smelter (hamstring), defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (knee) and running back Shaun Draughn also sat out.
Outside linebacker Marcus Rush, a roster long shot who spent last year on the practice squad, had three sacks Saturday.
Carradine followed up a strong week of practice by producing a sack of Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez that forced a fumble. ...