49ers' Colin Kaepernick has surgery for ‘extensive' shoulder tear

SANTA CLARA - 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had surgery in Vail, Colo. Tuesday morning on his left, non-throwing shoulder. A source said the doctor who performed the surgery, Dr. Peter Millett of the Steadman Clinic, said the tear in the quarterback’s labrum was “extensive.”

Kaepernick’s recovery is expected to last four to six months. He will go through the rehabilitation process with the 49ers, who must decide whether to cut ties with him - either through a trade or outright release - by April 1 when his $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed.

General manager Trent Baalke said Sunday that speculation that Kaepernick had played his last snap for the 49ers was premature. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday and the 49ers will move forward this season with a quarterback corps that includes Blaine Gabbert, Dylan Thompson and McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was added to the practice squad Monday.

Kaepernick injured the shoulder in a Week 4 loss to the Packers. He was examined after the game by the team’s doctor but the full extent of the injury wasn’t known until last week when Kaepernick was given an MRI. Kaepernick did not appear on the team’s weekly injury report with a shoulder injury until after the MRI was taken.

After the MRI was taken, Kaepernick sought a second opinion from Millett, who suggested surgery as an option. Millett and the 49ers’ team surgeon, Tim McAdams of Stanford Hospital, have been in contact throughout the process.