Colin Kaepernick and his $16.8 million cap hit will be back with 49ers after all

SAN FRANCISCO - Colin Kaepernick will be playing for Chip Kelly and the San Francisco 49ers after all.

Despite reports that Kaepernick wanted out of San Francisco, general manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday that Kaepernick will be on the roster April 1 when his $11.9 base salary becomes fully guaranteed, ESPN reported.

Kaepernick is recovering from surgeries on his shoulder, thumb and knee, and the team still has Blaine Gabbert on the roster.

"I think the good thing is we've got two guys that have gone into games who've proven they can play, and Colin's done some awful good things through his career, won some big games for the San Francisco 49ers and (we) expect him to come back," Baalke said.

"The main focus right now is health, getting him healthy. He's done a good job with his rehab. Talking to the medical staff, that seems to be going very well, and (we) just look forward to getting him back and getting him working with this coaching staff."

Kelly, hired in the offseason, reportedly wanted to coach Kaepernick wherever he ended up.

ESPN reported that Kaepernick has a salary cap hit of $16.8 million next season - 16th among quarterbacks.  There's a clause in his contract that allows the team to release him in any of the next three seasons.

He was benched for eight games last season, and replaced by Gabbert.