Gabbert’s safety-first approach isn’t keeping 49ers’ drives alive

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After his first start with the 49ers, quarterback Blaine Gabbert noted that he’d learned from experience not to force high-risk throws and to take what the defense gives him.

“Check-downs aren’t a bad thing,” Gabbert said.

Two starts later, however, this has become increasingly clear: Gabbert has gotten a bit carried away with this check-down stuff.

In his three starts, Gabbert has flashed a strong arm, quick release, excellent mobility and … a risk-averse personality. That final trait helps explain why the 49ers have converted just 22.8 percent (8-of-35) of their third downs in Gabbert’s starts. For perspective, the Rams rank last in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage (25.9).

On third downs, Gabbert has completed 16 passes, but only six have netted first downs. In other words, he’s been content to take what defenses have given him, and those units have given him short throws that have led to punts.

On Sunday, in a 19-13 loss to Arizona, Gabbert completed 4 of 7 passes for 33 yards with an interception on third down. The 49ers went 0-for-9 on third down, and they’ve converted 2 of 20 in their current two-game losing streak. Gabbert’s third-down numbers are deceptively impressive: He has completed 16 of 26 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns with one interception (90.7 rating).

On Monday, head coach Jim Tomsula was asked if Gabbert’s play-it-safe approach on third down is OK. Should he have a more aggressive mind-set?

“It’s absolutely not OK,” Tomsula said. “I mean, we need to get first downs on third down. So we’ve got to do a better job there.”

Gabbert (91.0 passer rating) has played better than Colin Kaepernick (78.5) by most statistical measurements, but it hasn’t produced a significant uptick in the only stat that matters: points scored. The 49ers have averaged 14.3 points in Gabbert’s three starts after averaging 13.6 points with Kaepernick.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Gabbert’s safety-first approach isn’t keeping 49ers’ drives alive 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

In fairness to Gabbert, he has dealt with mostly 3rd-and-long situations in which defenses can employ coverages to limit intermediate or deep throws. On Gabbert’s 26 third-down pass attempts, the 49ers have needed an average of 7.7 yards for a first down.

Still, some situations have screamed for more daring.

Consider: In a 29-13 loss to the Seahawks on Nov. 22, Gabbert settled for third-down check-downs inside the red zone on back-to-back third-quarter drives.

First, with the 49ers trailing 20-7, he had a 7-yard completion to tight end Vance McDonald on 3rd-and-10 at Seattle’s 16. On the next drive, he had a 3-yard completion to running back Shaun Draughn on 3rd-and-goal from the 10.

The safe passes led to two field goals and postgame questions. Gabbert went into some detail on his 3-yard pass to Draughn.

“It was just the coverage that they were playing,” Gabbert said. “You can’t force throws in the red zone because you do have to come away with points. You want a touchdown, but if you have to settle for a field goal you still get points on the board. … Just kicked it out to Shaun and see if he could make a play.”

On Sunday, Gabbert’s final pass was also thrown short of the first-down marker, although it came on fourth down. On 4th-and-20 from Arizona’s 40, Gabbert had an 18-yard completion to well-covered wideout Anquan Boldin with 1:12 left. Gabbert was asked if he assumed it would be a 20-yard gain.

“It was close,” he said. “I knew when he made the break … he had a good matchup inside and came up 3 feet short. It’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

Too often, however, it hasn’t gone well for Gabbert and the 49ers on third down. And Tomsula acknowledged he’s not down with all the check-downs.

“We need to throw beyond the sticks,” Tomsula said. “…We’ve got to do a better job there.”

Briefly: Kaepernick returned to the team’s facility Monday to begin his rehabilitation after he had surgery last Tuesday to repair a significant labrum tear in his non-throwing shoulder, Tomsula said. Kaepernick is facing a four- to six-month rehabilitation. … Tomsula said tight end Garrett Celek was scheduled to have an MRI exam on his ankle, but indicated it was precautionary. The medical staff still believes Celek has a high ankle sprain.

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch