Colin Kaepernick to be scrutinized in 49ers’ exhibition finale
Colin Kaepernick has managed to make the NFL’s least appetizing product — the final preseason game — compelling.
Much of the drama, of course, will come before Thursday’s kickoff of the game between the 49ers and Chargers in San Diego.
What will the scene be like during the anthem as the Chargers host their 28th annual “Salute to Military” celebration?
Not long after the final note, though, will be there be a reason to watch a game in which most starters probably will be spectators?
How will Kaepernick, the football player, perform?
On Tuesday, head coach Chip Kelly said Kaepernick was one of the top two quarterbacks on the roster, which would seem to assure him of a roster spot.
If presumptive starter Blaine Gabbert struggles or is injured, isn’t Kaepernick a better Plan B than rookie Jeff Driskel or Christian Ponder?
If Kaepernick flashes just a bit of his old form, though, it would make it impossible for the 49ers to release him for football reasons.
[...] beyond that less-than-formidable trio, their other seven wideouts have combined for two career receptions.
If there was a preseason All-Pro team — and, yes, that is a twisted thought — Marcus Rush might be a first-team outside linebacker.
Rush has flashed surprising speed and strength en route to collecting four sacks in the past two exhibition games — and he just missed another QB takedown in his three-sack performance against Denver.
[...] Rush went undrafted, spent his first season on the practice squad and hasn’t been dominating starting-caliber offensive linemen in his second-half displays.
If nothing else, Rush could have a roster spot while outside linebacker Aaron Lynch serves a season-opening, four-game suspension.