Through two preseason games, Blaine Gabbert has completed 10-of-19 pass attempts for 132 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Those numbers are good for a quarterback rating of 92.4.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback, however, understands that his most important preseason test is yet to come. That will take place Friday night in a home contest against the Green Bay Packers.
"This is really a big dress rehearsal leading into the regular season," Gabbert said. "You approach any game as if it's a regular season game. We just want to keep improving on what we've done in the first two games."
Chip Kelly reiterated to the media on Wednesday that no decisions have been made on how much Gabbert, or any other quarterback for that matter, will play in the game. Gabbert is preparing to go for as long as the coaching staff keeps sending him back out to the field.
He admitted that he hopes to see "extended time" to help better get into a rhythm.
"My mindset going into the game is you play in the game until they tell you to come out," Gabbert said. "You can't go into any game thinking you're only going to play a couple series or quarter because if you play longer, you're not going to be prepared."
The quarterback explained that he's excited by the progress the offense has made since the start of the offseason program back in April. Each position group understands the play installs and is now working to thrive in Kelly's offense.
Gabbert has dominated the first-team reps since the first days of Organized Team Activities. A trio of offseason surgeries and a fatigued throwing shoulder has kept Colin Kaepernick sidelined for a bulk of the 49ers ongoing quarterback competition.
That could change on Friday as Kaepernick is expected to make his 2016 preseason debut. Kaepernick has been full-go at practice this week, and the first-team practice reps were once again split down the middle between the two signal-callers.
Gabbert doesn't know if his number will be called on San Francisco's opening possession, but the quarterback understands what will be expected of him when he does take the field.
"Just keep playing ball. Deliver the ball accurately and on time, leading the guys on offense and putting up points," the sixth-year pro said. "Just playing the quarterback position the way the coaches want you to."
