Cowboys vs. 49ers preview: Kaepernick might become a QB topic again

The Dallas Cowboys will indirectly become a part of the national anthem controversy because they play at San Francisco Sunday.

San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been protesting racial inequality and police brutality in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem. Some others around the country, on all levels, have followed by also kneeling or raising a clenched first during the playing of the anthem.

No Cowboys players have participated to date.

But after the national anthem, there’s a football game and the upstart Cowboys (2-1) will again turn to the all-rookie backfield of quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott to set the tone.

Prescott has thrown 99 passes without an interception. Elliott is second in the league in rushing with 274. However, the Cowboys might be without wide receiver Dez Bryant, who has a hairline fracture in his right knee.

Ironically, Kaepernick might become the story on the field as well as off the field if starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert continues to struggle for first-year coach Chip Kelly.

In three starts this season, Gabbert has thrown for 532 yards and three touchdowns, but has been intercepted three times. The 49ers’ third-down efficiency is only 34.8 percent (16 of 46).

Kaepernick has been recovering from off-season shoulder, knee and thumb surgery. However, it’s the strength of his shoulder that might be the biggest issue at this time.

Still, Kelly might be getting impatient with Gabbert and his 68.6 passer rating and could possibly turn to Kaepernick, ready or not, against the Cowboys if things continue to trend downward.

Here are some other notables on the game:

▪  San Francisco leads the series 17-16-1, but Dallas has won three of the past four meetings.

▪  Dallas has converted 52.5 percent of their third-down tries, the highest percentage in the league this season.

▪  Dallas has 73 first downs, second-best in the league. They also have 32 rushing first downs, which is the best in the league.

▪  San Francisco has scored 45 points off eight takeaways this season, the most by the team since 1997 (45 points off 14 takeaways).

▪  San Francisco’s offensive line has only allowed two sacks this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL (Oakland and New York Jets).

▪  San Francisco has committed 12 penalties, the fewest in the NFL.

Statistical comparisons

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Cowboys vs. 49ers preview: Kaepernick might become a QB topic again."