Colin Kaepernick trains with Raiders as door opens for potential NFL return

Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played in the NFL since New Years Day 2017, has taken a step back to football. He practices for the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday, according to ESPN and confirmed by CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson. Practice takes place at the team facility with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler expected to be present, par The MMQB.

The 34-year-old has not worked for any team or visited any team since the end of the 2016 season. The social justice advocate has sparked national controversy due to on-pitch protests against police brutality, and it is widely believed to be something that ended his career. However, things could be about to change.

Kaepernick went 28-30 as a starter during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, throwing 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 69 career games. He led the 49ers to a Super Bowl XLVII appearance to end the 2012 season and went 12-4 in 2013, but San Francisco struggled in his last three seasons there, including going 1-10 in of his departures during his last campaign in 2016.

Still, some of his career stats are impressive. Just 1.77% of Kaepernick’s passes were intercepted, which is the fifth-highest mark in NFL history among those who have attempted at least 1,500 career passes. He also rushed for 181 yards in a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers in 2013, which is still the most ever by a quarterback in a postseason game.

Kaepernick has been busy this offseason proving to the footballing world that he still has some tread left on the tires and has said he is ready to be a substitute. Most recently, he served as honorary captain at the University of Michigan Spring Game and had a public pitch session at “halftime”, which was broadcast on television. Kap has also worked with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett and contacted head coach Pete Carroll to gauge Seattle’s interest in bringing him on.

When asked what he hoped to accomplish with public coaching at Michigan, Kaepernick said he was just looking for a chance.

“One shot,” Kaepernick replied. “Just a chance, an opportunity. You know, a lot of what we’ve heard is, ‘Oh, you haven’t played in five years, can you still play?’ Well, I had to go out, that’s part of the reason we did all the workouts publicly, posting them publicly.

“(I’m) grateful that this is an opportunity that can lead to a next step and hopefully open that door for me to walk through.”

The Raiders aren’t one of the neediest teams in the NFL. Derek Carr signed a huge three-year extension worth $121.5 million this offseason, and Vegas also signed Nick Mullens, traded for Jarrett Stidham and picked up Cal’s Chase Garbers as an undrafted free agent. Still, the Raiders are clearly interested in adding a veteran. A workout doesn’t guarantee the Raiders will sign Kaepernick, but it’s a pretty big development for a potential NFL return.