Kelly: Kaepernick hasn't fallen behind Gabbert

Colin Kaepernick remains right in the thick of a competition to be the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback.

Despite missing all team activities to this point in the offseason while recovering from multiple surgeries, Kaerpernick hasn't dropped behind Blaine Gabbert.

"He's great in the classroom," head coach Chip Kelly said Tuesday, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. "He's got a great grasp of what we're doing. I'm really impressed by both Blaine and him and their intelligence and being able to pick up what we're trying to do.

"So there's no 'fall behind' because there's no behind. There's not a race. The first day we're able to against defenses is today. We're not naming the starting lineup for the Rams game today."

A timeline for Kaepernick's rehab hasn't yet been made clear. Returning to full participation at any point in advance of training camp, though, would undoubtedly work in his favor in what appears to be an open competition.

Kaepernick's combination of experience and past success would presumably give him the advantage over Gabbert, but any decision will likely be based on fit at the helm of Kelly's offense.