Colin Kaepernick rusty in return as 49ers fall to Packers 21-10

SANTA CLARA - Aaron Rodgers made the most of his only appearance of the preseason, throwing a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb in the Green Bay Packers’ 21-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night.

Colin Kaepernick did not fare as well, as he looked extremely rusty in his first game action since November. He completed 2 of 6 passes and generated one first down on three drives.

Rodgers was held out of the first two preseason games despite being healthy and won’t play the exhibition finale next week; the veteran quarterback needs little game work to get ready for the regular season.

Rodgers played two drives against the 49ers, going 6 for 9 for 60 yards.

After the first drive stalled because of penalties, Rodgers looked sharp the next time Green Bay got the ball. He moved around easily in the pocket and drew a 12-men-on-the-field penalty when he operated out of the hurry-up offense.

That play helped extend a 14-play, 87-yard drive capped when Rodgers threw a quick pass to Cobb, who juked Chris Davis and got into the end zone for a 6-yard score. Despite Kaepernick returning after sitting the first two games with a tired shoulder, Blaine Gabbert once again got the start. He appears to have the inside track for that role when the season starts.

After a three-and-out on the opening drive, Gabbert led the Niners to a score on his final series. He had a nice run and two short completions before Carlos Hyde busted a 27-yard run. Quinton Patton then took a lateral from Gabbert and scampered into the end zone on a 3-yard run.

Kaepernick entered to applause on the next series, but did little to show he deserves the starting job. He was quick to leave the pocket when his first option was covered.

He finished 2 for 6 for 14 yards and added 18 yards on four runs.

NOTES

The 49ers’ first-round draft pick, Joshua Garnett, did not start but came in after two series to get time with the first-team at left guard.

Defensive lineman Quinton Dial (knee) and WR Bruce Ellington (hamstring) left with injuries.

Defensive lineman Arik Armstead missed his third consecutive preseason game with a shoulder injury.

Anthony Davis, a former starter at right tackle for the 49ers, played right guard in a game for the first time since college. Davis sat out last year in a temporary retirement before returning to the team this summer.