SANTA CLARA -- Quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who is competing with Colin Kaepernick for the 49ers' starting job, will make his third consecutive start to open the exhibition season, the team announced Friday evening.
Gabbert will get the start over Kaepernick, who missed the team's first two exhibition games due to arm fatigue. Kaepernick is expected to make his debut of the exhibition season in the team's third exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
In his first two starts, Gabbert has played six offensive possessions. He has completed 10 of 19 passes for 132 yards with one touchdown. Gabbert has not thrown an interception or been sacked.
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Coach Chip Kelly vowed during training camp to give both players equal playing time and equal snaps with the first-team offense during the exhibition season before making a decision on his starting quarterback.
Kaepernick has not played since attempting one pass in an Nov. 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Gabbert made the start in place of Kaepernick, who entered when Gabbert was sidelined for one play.
The 49ers announced five players will be held out due to injury concerns: defensive linemen Arik Armstead (shoulder) and Glenn Dorsey (knee), wide receivers DeAndre Smelter (hamstring) and Bryce Treggs (knee), and linebacker Nick Bellore (knee). It is not known whether defensive backs L.J. McCray or Will Redmond, both of whom are returning from season-ending knee injuries of last season, will be available, either.