49ers notes: Kaepernick plans to eat his way to full strength

Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday agreed with 49ers coach Chip Kelly that his weight and strength are not where they were before he underwent three surgeries. But the quarterback has a plan to fix that.

“Eat food and a lot of it,” he said.

“That’s something I’ve always had to do, I’ve always had to be conscious of,” Kaepernick added. “I have a very lean body type, so putting weight on for me is a little more difficult (than for) others.”

Kaepernick’s weight became a focus Monday, when Kelly said Kaepernick wouldn’t be a contender for the starting role until he has fully recovered from the shoulder, knee and thumb procedures that left him unable to work out until June.

Starter Blaine Gabbert’s passer rating, 68.6, ranks 30th in the NFL, although the 49ers have faced some of the league’s best defenses in the first three weeks. Gabbert and the 49ers hope to get on track Sunday against a Dallas Cowboys defense that ranks 23rd against the pass.

Kaepernick’s optimal playing weight is 225 pounds. He lost a significant amount of mass after the surgeries and has regained most of it, but he would not pinpoint how much further he must go.

For the past 10 months, Kaepernick has been on a vegan diet, meaning he doesn’t consume animal products. He said he feels better with the diet and has insisted it hasn’t hindered his ability to put on weight.

He said his speed is back to normal.

“The fact that my weight isn’t where it was, my strength is still growing, developing,” Kaepernick said. “But once again, I’m always going to be prepared, always willing to put it on the line for this team.”

Receiver added – The 49ers added former Houston Texans and New England Patriots receiver Keshawn Martin to their under-performing wide-receiving corps.

Martin, 26, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Texans in 2012. His best season in Houston came in 2013, when he had 22 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He also handled punts that year for the Texans, returning one 87 yards for a touchdown. Houston traded him to New England last year, when he made 24 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns.

Martin takes the roster spot that opened Monday after offensive tackle Anthony Davis retired.

The 49ers rank last in receiving yards.

Injuries – One 49ers tight end, Vance McDonald (hip), did not practice Tuesday, while another, Garrett Celek (hip), wore a blue noncontact jersey. Blake Bell is the only healthy tight end on the 53-man roster.

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 12:23 PM with the headline "49ers notes: Kaepernick plans to eat his way to full strength."