How does it feel to be practicing after a fairly extended layoff?
“Great. It’s great to be back out there. It’s great to be back practicing with my teammates, getting ready for this next game.”
Have there been any issues at all with the shoulder? Has it been like normal?
“Yeah. Everything has been going great. Everything has been going as planned. So, excited to get out there this Friday.”
Do you feel like the approach was very cautious? Do you think you could have played or returned to practice earlier?
“No, I was following doctors’ orders and what our trainers had recommended. It was something we wanted to make sure we stayed on top of because it is the preseason and we have a long season ahead of us, to make sure that everything is going as planned going into that.”
How much action do you think you would like to see Friday if you get to play, that you could get in a rhythm? How long do you think it would take?
“That’s not up to me. That’s up to coach. When I go out there though I’ll be ready to compete and to compete as long as he lets me.”
Do you still think you have a fair shot to win this competition before Week 1?
“Yeah, most definitely. I’m going to go out and show everything I can these next two games and make sure I put my best foot forward to show this organization, this team, this coaching staff, what I’m capable of.”
Are you going to be wearing your visor during this game?
“Yes.”
Traditionally, Week 3 is the one in the preseason that most resembles the regular season. Number one is that true, and if it is, does that mean that that’s kind of crucial for you this next game to show what you can do as you approach the regular season?
“I would say, typically, that’s the case. You get more extended playing time, but you also don’t game plan and do those things that you typically do during the regular season. So, I guess it’s a yes and no answer. But, once again, just excited to be out there for this third one and give everything I have.”
Where are you in your comfort level though, understanding what you can do in this offense and what’s expected?
“Very comfortable. The coaching staff does a great job with laying everything out. Why we’re doing things, how we want to do them and how things coincide with each other. Make sure we have complementary plays.”
Head coach Chip Kelly said you weren’t on a pitch count or anything this week, but have you had to do anything additional just after practice, before practice, whatever, to manage the shoulder?
“No, same maintenance that I’ve always done. Not something I’m concerned about at this point. Just making sure I do everything I can to go out and put my best foot forward.”
Do you think, looking at QB Blaine Gabbert, he’s taken, from the offseason program, all the first-team snaps and he’s taken all these snaps while you’ve been out. Do you think that gives him an inherent advantage in this competition?
“No. I can only worry about myself. I focus on the reps that I get and the mental reps that I’ve taken so when I step on the field I feel like I’m very prepared.”
How are you feeling physically after throwing again?
“Great.”
The arm’s good?
“Yeah. Ready to go.”
You mentioned the tinted visor. Has it been approved for the regular season?
“Still working on that.”
But, you can do whatever you want in the exhibition season?
“From my understanding.”
How frustrating was it to have to basically watch while you’re in the middle of a quarterback competition?
“Very. Very frustrating. Not something I was expecting, but at the same time, it was something I had to deal with and make sure I was prepared for this coming game.”
Where do you think you are as far as getting your full strength back before you underwent all the procedures? I know that you’ve lost some weight and you weren’t able to lift. So, where are you in that process?
“I feel very comfortable with my strength, prepared to play and ready to go. So, not something I’m concerned about.”
There’s been talk that supposedly this offense is suited to your athleticism. How are you finding it at this point now that you’ve had a chance to study it and get involved with it?
“It’s been great. It’s something that I think I’m very comfortable in. It’s very similar to what I did in college. So, at this point, I don’t think there’s any reason for me to be cautious or feel uncomfortable in the offense. I’m very excited about what we’re capable of doing and the opportunities that we do have.”
You said in early June you hadn’t talked to general manager Trent Baalke since you’d gotten back. We talked to him last week. He said you had a good conversation together a couple weeks ago. What is your relationship like with your general manager?
“We have a business relationship. That’s the point that we’re at.”
You had a good conversation? Would you characterize that as accurate?
“We had a conversation.”
Do you feel good about the way your situation physically has been handled by the team?
“Once again, I’m not getting into all the specifics or anything like that. We’re focusing on football and my focus right now is this game Friday.”
When you initially hurt your shoulder, you said that you’d felt that feeling before when you were a pitcher and that you bounced back quickly. Do you feel that now, eight to 10 years later, you bounce back not as quickly or what did you find from this particular injury?
“No. At this point, I would say I bounce back quicker than I did in the past. Baseball’s very taxing on a shoulder. Football, not as much.”
Video and transcript via San Francisco 49ers