Colin Kaepernick is on pace to finally take part in a preseason contest.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has practiced fully this week and is expected to play in Friday's tilt with the Green Bay Packers, barring a setback.
Coach Chip Kelly has been splitting reps in practice between Kap and Blaine Gabbert this week, but has not made a determination on Friday's starter.
"We haven't discussed it, yet," Kelly said Wednesday, via CSN Bay Area. "We got two days of training to go through. We'll see. (Kaepernick is) on track. We're excited and we're hopeful he will be ready to go. But I'm not going to put the cart before the horse. We have a system. When we get to Friday, we'll know exactly from (head athletic trainer Jeff Ferguson) who's up and who's down."
Added Kelly: "If he's up, he's going to play."
For his part, Kaepernick told reporters he "most definitely" believes he has a chance to return as the 49ers' starter this season.
"I'm going to go out and show everything I can these next two games," Kaepernick said, "and make sure I put my best foot forward to show this organization, this team, this coaching staff, what I'm capable of."
Kaepernick missed the first two preseason tilts with a sore throwing arm but has reportedly been back to throwing at his normal velocity this week.
That Gabbert hasn't locked down the starting gig yet is a telling sign for Kaepernick's chances of wrangling the gig.
Regardless of which quarterback starts Friday night, if one signal-caller shines brighter in the "dress rehearsal," he should be considered the favorite to open the season as Kelly's starter.
