Kaepernick surgery shows ‘extensive’ tear in shoulder of 49ers quarterback

The 49ers placed Kaepernick on injured reserve and promoted rookie Dylan Thompson from the practice squad, ahead of Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks. After suffering a season-ending injury on his non-throwing shoulder, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has likely played his final snaps for San Francisco.

Kaepernick’s tenure in San Francisco wasn’t without its highlights though, as the quarterback was responsible for leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994. Either way, it’s hard to imagine Kaepernick playing for the 49ers in 2016.

He had reported the injury Monday, prompting the 49ers to send him for an MRI exam. When the shoulder soreness persisted Friday, the quarterback said he wanted to explore his options, team spokesman Bob Lange said. San Francisco could be eyeing a long-term replacement via the 2016 NFL draft.

Just Friday, Kaepernick was listed as probable on the 49ers’ injury report. While neither side has said anything publicly on the matter, Kaepernick and the Niners are looking for a divorce.

Gabbert is the man now, Kaepernick is on his way out, and the 49ers seem very, very, very comfortable with both of those things because Gabbert seems like somebody the rest of the locker room understands.

Because players on injured reserve do not travel with the team, Kaepernick stayed back in the Bay Area and did rehabilitation work Sunday morning, Baalke said. The five-year veteran has opted to undergo surgery to set up the tear, ruling him out for the remainder of the year.

The 49ers lost run-stopping defensive end Glenn Dorsey on the first play of the game, but they played like they were missing six other starters in their front seven. He also rushed for 256 yards with one touchdown.

Exhausted of the critical world around him, Kaepernick now can find an escape hatch via his red headphones, and no one will care if he’s on his own island… as long as he doesn’t demand a $11.9-million parting gift from the 49ers, which is possible.

Kaepernick was 29th in passer rating (78.5) when he went to the bench. At least three teams asked about Kaepernick at the trade deadline but none of them could take on his salary midseason. And, in their past eight regular-season games against the Seahawks, the 49ers have scored no more than a single touchdown, according to ESPN Stats & Information.