Colin Kaepernick has started 29 consecutive regular and postseason games for the San Francisco 49ers. However, given his proclivity to run, he takes more shots than some quarterbacks.
With this in mind, the 49ers' backup quarterback spot, like on every roster, is an important one.
Given what we've seen in the preseason, the Niners don't currently have a viable backup option.
"Right now, in terms of a backup quarterback, it's simple: It's whoever doesn't turn the ball over," Harbaugh said, per the Bay Area News Group. "They're turning the ball over. All of them have. There's nobody to elevate."
Despite some kind words about Blaine Gabbert, the reclamation project isn't going well. In two preseason games, the signal-caller is 11 of 25 (44 percent) for 60 yards and two interceptions. During Sunday's game he threw low, high, behind and pretty much everywhere the receivers weren't.
His interception Sunday was a woefully thrown ball behind the receiver. So far Gabbert is 0 of 5, with two interceptions on passes of 10-plus yards downfield this preseason, per Pro Football Focus.
However, the 49ers currently don't have a better option. Josh Johnson was just 2-of-3 passing with lost a fumble on his second snap. Long shot McLeod Bethel-Thompson also threw an interception to go with 6-of-8 passing -- although another pass should have been picked.
The 49ers' regular season backup could very well be sitting on a different roster right now.
To be fair, San Francisco has been outscored 57-3 in two preseason games, so it's not just the backup signal-callers who have played poorly. Harbaugh acknowledged something is "definitely off" with his team.
"This is going to be an important week for us," Harbaugh said. "We need to make decisions on who we're playing with. We're not going to keep experimenting. We've got to tighten this down fast."
The latest "Around the League Podcast" talks quarterback battles and debates the gang's preseason power rankings.