By Morris Phillips

Colin Kaepernick might not have been red, white and blue enough for Chargers’ fans, but he appeared to be red and gold enough for the 49ers’ coaching staff on Thursday night.

Kaepernick again refused to stand for the national anthem before the game, this time kneeling with teammate Eric Reid, during Steven Powell’s singing of the Star Spangled Banner.  The Chargers celebrating their 28^th annual “Salute to the Military” had 240 members from each of the four branches of the military on the field for the anthem, displaying flags as Powell, a Naval officer sang.

Before and after the anthem, Kaepernick was greeted with boos and strong language, but in a statement before the game, he remained resolute.

“I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed,” Kaepernick stated.  “To me, this is something that has to change.  When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

Reid, a native of Baton Rouge, Lousiana has been publicly supportive of his teammate, while expressing concern for his hometown, a flashpoint for violence between the police and the black community over the summer.

Less controversial was Kaepernick’s play on the field in his lengthiest and best stint of the pre-season.  The 28-year old quarterback started, led the 49ers to a touchdown on their initial 16-play, 85-yard drive that consumed more than half of the first quarter.  DuJuan Harris culminated the drive with a one-yard run, while Kaepernick completed 6 of 8 passes on the drive, and contributed two productive run plays. 

Kaepernick would go on to play the entire first half, finishing 11 of 18 for 103 yards.  He played behind a backup offensive line, and against San Diego’s second string defense, but impressed by moving the team, and not suffering any sacks or turnovers. 

Blaine Gabbert, the presumed starter for the regular season opener on September 12, sat out as announced before the game.  Kaepernick was followed by sixth-round draft pick Jeff Driskel and free agent signee Christian Ponder.

The 49ers led at halftime, 9-7, after Kaepernick led the team on a late drive before the half that ended with Jeff Dawson’s 32-yard field goal.   Driskel’s stint was marred by two interceptions as the Niners fell behind 21-9 in the third quarter.  But Ponder was at the controls in the fourth when the club scored 22 points and regained the lead.

Among those that impressed, running back Kelvin Taylor had nine carries for 56 yards and the final score of the night, a 10-yard run with 55 seconds remaining that put the game away.  Marcus Rush’s interception off a deflection set up that final score.  Rush, the former Michigan State linebacker continued his impressive pre-season play with the pick, and a forced fumble.

Je’Ron Hamm led the 49ers with four catches for 65 yards.  Jeremy Kerley, a trade acquisition from the Jets in the last week, caught two passes and returned a punt.  Kerley appears to be the needed veteran presence among the receiver corps with Bruce Ellington felled by a season-ending injury two weeks ago.

The 49ers must reduce their roster to 53 in the coming days, and Kaepernick’s presence among that final group isn’t assured.  Most prognosticators believe the team will retain the veteran as their most experienced and capable backup, but his considerable contract, and the anthem controversy, make that far from a sure thing. 

The team reported no new injuries after the game, although Aaron Lynch was briefly hobbled in the first half.  Lynch started at outside linebacker, but will not be available to play or appear at the team facilities during the first four weeks of the season due to a league-mandated suspension.

Gabbert, NaVorro Bowman, Reid and Joe Staley were among a group of 17 presumed starters and key reserves that did not suit up or play.

The 49ers open the regular season on September 12 against the Rams at Levi’s Stadium.