NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers, Eagles & Steelers

Colin Kaepernick

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the 49ers will have to decide whether to cut or carry QB Colin Kaepernick on their 53-man roster in the coming days.

Florio mentions that if Kaepernick is cut, the 49ers could save a portion of his $11.9 million salary, since it includes offset language.

One issue with playing Kaepernick in 2016 is that if he gets hurt, it’s possible his 2017 salary of $14.5 million could become fully guaranteed before San Francisco could release him.

With this in mind, Florio mentions that it’s possible the 49ers will do the same thing with Kaepernick that the Redskins did with Robert Griffin III last year.

49ers

• 49ers HC Chip Kelly when asked if they would consider releasing QB Colin Kaepernick if he doesn’t win the starting job, said “we’ve never had a conversation about cutting Colin Kaepernick.” (Nick Wagoner)
• Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes that “all signs” point to Blaine Gabbert getting the start for Week 1’s game against the Rams.
• Despite a poor showing Friday night, Kaepernick still believes he can win the starting job: “Yeah, I think so. I mean, that’s really up to [coach] Chip [Kelly] and the coaching staff. But in my mind I think I can go out and win it.”

Eagles

Eagles HC Doug Pederson said their plan for newly acquired WR Dorial Green-Beckham is to put together a small package of plays for him and expand them as he learns the team’s system.

“He’s not where you want him to be, obviously, with the terminology of the offense,” Pederson said, via ESPN.com. “That’s why we’re going to keep it very simple and keep it to one position for him as a receiver. Put a little package together, two, three, four plays, and just let him go play. And then as he understands that, we can expand the role because he’s coming in basically right here at the end of camp trying to learn a system.”

• According to Pederson, former first-round WR Nelson Agholor “really stood out” in practice this week.

Steelers

• Ed Bouchette reports that Steelers DE Cam Heyward suffered a high-ankle sprain during Friday’s game. However, Heyward told Bouchette: “I’ll be there Week One.“