SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- With San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick idling on the practice field because of a sore right shoulder, Blaine Gabbert didn't have to share many of the first-team repetitions on Friday.
That meant that for the second day in a row, Gabbert got the majority of the reps as the starting quarterback. And he got to do it with the Houston Texans in town for a joint practice. The result was a sharp performance from Gabbert and the offense, particularly in team drills.
After it was over, Gabbert acknowledged that the extra time with the starters has allowed him to find a rhythm.
"The more reps you get, I think the more rhythm you’re going to be in," Gabbert said. "Coach (Chip) Kelly and (Texans linebackers) coach (Mike) Vrabel, their defensive coordinator (Romeo Crennel), did a great job kind of letting us go six-seven plays at a time and then getting another four at the end of the period. So there were some periods where we were getting 10-11 reps as the ones. The more reps you get, the more comfortable you’re going to get and you’re going to get into a flow. We did that today.”
Unofficially, Gabbert finished the team periods 15-of-21, with the 49ers alternating between their normal fast-paced, no-huddle offense and a more meticulous huddle. Perhaps best of all, Gabbert's day was mostly mistake free as he didn't throw any interceptions. There was one mishandled exchange with running back Shaun Draughn, but otherwise, the operation was clean.
Gabbert's completions weren't limited to check downs and underneath throws, either. He connected with wideout Jerome Simpson on a deep ball for a big gain after Simpson beat Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye with a double move. He also hit Dres Anderson for a long touchdown when Anderson hauled in a diving catch during one-on-one drills.
After practice, Gabbert didn't want to get into the discussion of whether he'll start Sunday against the Texans, though most signs point to that being the case with Kaepernick nursing a sore arm.
“I just want to go out there and play good football," Gabbert said. "Let the decision be made for itself. I’m just going to go control what I can control and go sling the rock and put some points on the board.”
Kaepernick did take a handful of reps in team drills but was limited to handoffs or keepers with those opportunities.
Other notes from Friday's practice:
• Friday was a good day for slot receiver Bruce Ellington. Ellington gave the Texans fits in one-on-one drills and he continued to get open and make plays in seven-on-seven and team drills. He hauled in a touchdown pass near the goal line and showed some toughness hanging on to the ball after getting caught between two Texans defenders. Fellow slot receiver Bryce Treggs also stood out working with the third team and offering good chemistry with quarterback Jeff Driskel.
• Just as Kelly had hoped, the Niners and Texans made it through a long, physical practice without any incidents of note. Sure, there were some hits and a few players were knocked to the ground, but there were no fights and both teams seemed to benefit from having a different face lined up on the other side.
• Wide receiver Quinton Patton didn't finish practice with what seemed to be a hamstring issue. Simpson was the primary replacement for him with the first-team offense.
• Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who has been battling an arm/shoulder issue, did not participate in team drills.
• Safety Eric Reid was not at practice as he and his wife are expecting a child. Jaquiski Tartt took the reps in his place, intercepting Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler late in team drills.
• The special teams had a rough go late in practice when the punt team drew multiple flags for false starts. Punter Bradley Pinion continued to kick well and kicker Phil Dawson converted four of five field goal attempts on the narrow uprights.
• The 49ers are off Saturday before Sunday's preseason opener against the Texans. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Levi's Stadium.