Kaepernick will start for 49ers against Bills
The San Francisco 49ers are putting their future back into quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s hands.
Coach Chip Kelly announced the decision Tuesday to bench Blaine Gabbert and to give back the starting job that Kaepernick lost midway through last season. Kaepernick has played only briefly in the opener but has generated attention with his refusal to stand for the national anthem as a form of protest.
“We were very analytical and sat down as a staff and watched tape and went over everything,” said Kelly. “We’ve had a couple days to digest everything where we are. I think offensively, we just need to be better and we just need to make a move.”
Gabbert has struggled this season for San Francisco (1-4). He is last in the NFL in yards per attempt (5.9) and has the secondworst passer rating (69.6) in the league.
“I'm ready to play,” said Kaepernick, who will start Sunday at Buffalo. “It’s been about a year since live-game action. So I’m itching to get back out there.”
Eagles’ Johnson suspended 10 games
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for 10 games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Johnson will be eligible to return on Dec. 19. It’s his second suspension. One more would cost Johnson two years. Johnson appealed the positive test, but an arbiter upheld the ruling.
Chargers kicker apologizes
San Diego kicker Josh Lambo apologized to fans for laughing with Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski moments after the Chargers’ loss Sunday. Many fans expressed displeasure on social media after Lambo was seen laughing with the Oakland kicker after the Raiders’ 34-31 victory. Lambo was set to attempt a tying field goal with 2:07 left when rookie holder Drew Kaser mishandled the snap.
Lambo, a second-year pro, says Janikowski is a “rock star” in the kicking world. “He said something funny and when Sebastian Janikowski says something funny to you, you laugh,” Lambo said.
Lambo acknowledged it was a “bad look” that he was seen laughing.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward won’t play Sunday at Miami because of a left hamstring injury. He has played in 85 straight games . ... The Minnesota Vikings signed offensive tackle Jake Long, a former first overall draft pick recently beset by injuries. The Vikings also placed right tackle Andre Smith on injured reserve because of surgery required on his damaged triceps.
The New York Giants signed cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who was released by the Rams on Saturday . ... The Detroit Lions signed running back Justin Forsett to bolster their short-handed backfield. Forsett was released earlier this month by Baltimore after asking to be let go. Forsett ran for 1,266 yards in 2014. He broke his arm last season after playing in 10 games.