National Football League

49ers GM says he expects Kaepernick to be on team in 2016

Published Feb. 24, 2016 5:19 p.m. ET

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday he expects quarterback Colin Kaepernick to be with the 49ers next season.

Asked at the NFL combine if Baalke foresees a return to the team by Kaepernick, who lost his job during 2015 to Blaine Gabbert, he replied ''absolutely.''

Kaepernick went 2-6 in eight starts before being benched. His future in San Francisco seemed uncertain, but with the hiring of Chip Kelly as coach, Kaepernick's style would seem a good fit. Kelly prefers mobile quarterbacks who can throw on the run, but Kaepernick will need to improve his accuracy and decision making.

Kaepernick is recovering from medical procedures on his right thumb, his left knee, and on his non-throwing left shoulder to fix a torn labrum. His $11.9 million 2016 contract becomes fully guaranteed for injury April 1 if he's on the roster.

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