Here’s what the 49ers should do with Colin Kaepernick to start the regular season. He should make the team, and then be inactivated during the regular season until Kaepernick is fully ready and healthy to be the backup, or even starting quarterback.

Kaepernick wasn’t traded in the off-season because no deal emerged that made sense and potential suitors were uninterested in acquiring him. Kaepernick’s contract demands apparently nixed a deal with Denver. However, one reason Kaepernick is still here is because new coach Chip Kelly to see if he could revive Kaepernick’s immense but dormant skills.

However because of injury and the 12 days of missed practices due to throwing shoulder inflammation, Kelly has yet to see a truly healthy Kaepernick. That’s why keeping him on the roster for now makes sense so Kaepernick can regain his health, his weight and hopefully his tools.

Releasing Kaepernick now fails to accomplish the goal of seeing how Kaepernick fits within Kelly’s offense. The 49ers are already obligated to pay him his $11.9 million salary, which became guaranteed in April.

When healthy, Kaepernick could also provide Kelly with a gleaming weapon that could challenge the limits of Kelly’s vast creativity. Imagine Kaepernick as a wildcat quarterback, a slot receiver, a recipient of a fly-sweep handoff. Maybe Kaepernick could thrive as a red zone target with his 6-5 frame, knowledge of the passing routes and his obvious athleticism.

Failing that, Kaepernick could still be the starter should Blaine Gabbert falter and he has hardly been scintillating in the preseason.

However, what could prevent the 49ers using Kaepernick is his contract, his health, and mistrust between Kaepernick and the team. The 49ers appeared frustrated by Kaepernick’s prolonged recovery from “tired” arm this summer. The team was outraged by his impromptu decision to undergo surgery on his non-throwing shoulder last year after he was benched.

The team fears that Kaepernick could do something similar if he’s injured this year. Also, if Kaepernick fails to pass a physical on April 1, his $14.9 million salary for 2017 becomes guaranteed.

But is this the way to run a team? By not playing a potential talent because of fears he’s going to get hurt? A healthy Kaepernick could potentially make a big difference to a talent challenged offense. The team is also awash in cap space so they should make some room for Kap space.

The 49ers have come this far with Kaepernick, they should continue to see if he can regain his health and see if a creative coach can turn him into the player he once was. That’s the one thing that Kaepernick and the 49ers can hopefully agree on.