San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick Gets a Chance to Prove Himself Early

The 49ers' young quarterback Colin Kaepernick, is getting an early chance to prove himself. Head coach Jim Harbaugh informed the press yesterday that Kaepernick will have an opportunity to play against the Houston Texans starters tonight at Candlestick.

After an exciting, but understandably rough first game, the rookie came back with a modest, but highly efficient second appearance against the Raiders in last week's preseason game—going 6-for-8 for 52 yards and scoring a 91.7 QB rating—the highest of any 49ers QB this preseason.

Although Kaepernick has looked better than most thought he would this early in his career, he must play extremely well tonight if he wants to be No. 1 by Week 1. With only two games left before the regular season begins, Kaepernick needs to prove he is ready to take the reigns.

Kaepernick will have many opportunities to prove himself moving forward. This isn't his last chance, it's really his first. Almost no one expected him to develop so quickly coming into camp, so the odds were and are against him taking over in Week 1. But he does have a legitimate chance to shock the world tonight. 

The Houston Texans have a solid first-team defense. If Kaepernick can move the ball into the end zone and play considerably better than the other veterans on the team—while playing against the first-team defense of the Texans—the 49ers may give the kid the start in Week 1.

So tune in Niner Nation, it is going to be exciting to watch regardless of the outcome.

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