San Francisco 49ers

Coach Chip Kelly announced July 31 that Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert would receive an equal opportunity in training camp to emerge as the starting quarterback.

“Him and Blaine will split it right down the middle with the ones and the twos,” Kelly said.

The coach said he had no timetable to declare a winner and added he was looking forward to seeing a fully healthy Kaepernick operate his frenetic offense for the first time.

The Niners nearly traded Kaepernick to the Denver Broncos before the draft on the heels of a disappointing, injury-plagued season. But the Broncos wound up selecting quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round, effectively killing the deal.

Rookie watch: G Joshua Garnett inked a four-year deal with the team just before camp began. The first-round pick is expected to challenge for a starting spot as the 49ers search for a replacement for veteran Alex Boone, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason. CBs Will Redmonds and Rash

ard Robinson also are hoping to challenge for starting jobs.

Noteworthy: Former 49ers RB Jarryd Hayne told the New

Zealand Herald last week that he would only return to the NFL if the league had some kind of minor league system that would allow players like him to develop. Hayne said he didn’t get enough playing time last season to improve as a player. ... NT Ian Wil

liams was lost for the season when he was placed on injured reserve just before the start of camp. He was trying to come back from ankle surgery. ... RT Antho

ny Davis, who retired from football this time last year, was reinstated and joined the team. He’ll try to work his way back into the starting lineup.