NFL Notes: 49ers bench Kaepernick; Titans fire Whisenhunt

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been told he won't start Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers and is being replaced by backup Blaine Gabbert, a person with knowledge of the decision said Monday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the decision wasn't to be discussed publicly. The team had not made a formal announcement, though coach Jim Tomsula offered a pretty good hint earlier in the day "we're evaluating everyone," on the heels of a 27-6 loss at St. Louis and a second straight game without a touchdown and third in five.

Kaepernick has been benched for his birthday, as he turns 28 on Tuesday. In a strange twist, it was three years ago in November 2012 when Kaepernick was promoted to replace Alex Smith and he wound up leading San Francisco back to the Super Bowl and a three-point loss to Baltimore. Kaepernick made his first career start on Nov. 19, 2012, for former coach Jim Harbaugh.

Former first-round pick Gabbert completed 23 of 28 passes in the preseason — for an 82.1 completion percentage — for 203 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and a 108.8 passer rating. He has stood by locker mate and friend Kaepernick, and they have regularly eaten lunch together, especially last week when a report said Kaepernick was alone "on an island" in the locker room.

"This whole team sees Kap on an everyday basis, we see him 15 hours a day in meetings," Gabbert said. "Unless those stories are coming from in here they're false."

Bay Area Sports Guy first reported the change. The quarterback speaks each Wednesday, also the next scheduled availability for Tomsula.

Tomsula had always said Kaepernick was his quarterback and made that commitment almost weekly during San Francisco's struggles this season — until Monday.

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Titans: HC Ken Whisenhunt fired
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have fired Ken Whisenhunt after a 3-20 start, and Mike Mularkey has been named interim head coach for the rest of the season.

The Titans announced the move Tuesday morning and have scheduled a news conference.

Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement that they made the move after expecting more progress on the field, saying she felt it was time to move in a different direction.

Mularkey arrived in Tennessee with Whisenhunt as tight ends coach and was promoted to assistant head coach this offseason. He has been a head coach with the Buffalo Bills in 2004-05 and in 2012 with Jacksonville. Mularkey also has been an offensive coordinator with Pittsburgh, Miami and Atlanta.

Browns: Manziel may start Thursday
CLEVELAND — Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown's ribs remain sore and it's possible he'll have to sit out Thursday's game in Cincinnati.

McCown took several hard hits in Sunday's loss to Arizona, and he said Tuesday that it's been difficult to breathe or sleep since the game. The 36-year-old fought through the pain before he was replaced late in the fourth quarter by Johnny Manziel, who may have to start against the undefeated Bengals.

McCown plans to take part in a light practice Tuesday night and he's hoping another day of rest will allow him to play.

Manziel prepared to start last week when McCown was limited in practice by a sore right shoulder and ribs. Manziel, who made one start earlier this season, remains under investigation by the NFL for a recent domestic dispute. The league's review remains ongoing.

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