Kaepernick remains 49ers’ top QB
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is keeping his starting job after getting benched during one of the worst performances of his career.
Offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins said Tuesday that Kaepernick will start when the 49ers ( 1- 11) host the New York Jets ( 3- 9) on Sunday. Kaepernick completed only one pass in three quarters in a 26- 6 loss Sunday to the Bears at Soldier Field and was benched in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert in the fourth quarter after being sacked five times.
‘‘ We just decided during the game to try to see if Blaine could give us a spark,’’ Modkins said. ‘‘ It’s nothing other than that.’’
Coach Todd Bowles said secondyear quarterback Bryce Petty will start the Jets’ last four games of the season, sending veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to the bench.
Bowles said hemade up his mind a couple of weeks ago that Petty would start the last four games and insisted the Jets’ 41- 10 loss Monday to the Indianapolis Colts had nothing to do with his decision.
The NFL suspended Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Mike Pennel and Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson for the last four games of the regular season for violating its substanceabuse and performance- enhancing-drug policies, respectively.
The Detroit Lions signed freeagent running back Joique Bell, who played for them in 2012- 15. Bell played in four games for the Bears this season before being released.