Colin Kaepernick will eventually be cleared to fully participate in practice. The question is, when?

Kaepernick has had perfect attendance during the 49ers’ offseason program under new coach Chip Kelly while he recovers from three surgeries had on his left shoulder, right hand and left knee. He’s in line to receive his full $400,000 workout bonus.

Kaepernick has not been participating in drills during OTAs, instead mirroring quarterbacks in both individual and team portions of practice.

There’s little doubt Kaepernick should be mentally prepared to play in Kelly’s system once he’s allowed to start throwing. Kelly has praised Kaepernick for his work in the class room during the installation process of his up-tempo offense.

San Francisco will practice in front of the media Thursday as they wrap up their voluntary OTAs, which may help illustrate the time table for Kaepernick’s return.

To this point, Kelly doesn’t believe Kaepernick’s inability to throw during practice has hampered his chance at winning the starting job, which he will compete for with Blaine Gabbert.

“There is no fall behind, because there is no behind. There’s not a race,” Kelly said May 17. “The first day we actually get to go against the defense is today. We’re not naming the starting lineup for the Rams game (Week 1) today.”

Kaepernick has resumed throwing with trainers, but not during practice, Kelly said. The expectation is he will be fully cleared soon. But it remains to be seen if ‘soon’ means in time for mandatory OTAs June 7-9.

Related How the 49ers can get their best 11 defenders on the field

To wit, Kelly said the date of Kaepernick’s return won’t be pertinent to the competition for the starting job.

“I don’t have a timetable. You can’t put a timetable on it. It has to express itself and let it happen organically. That’s the only way it can happen,” said Kelly.

“And I’ve been involved at every level in quarterback battles, just like there’s battles for every other position. But, it’s going to be won on the field. It’s not going to be won because we have a timetable of it has to be set by May 17th or May 18th.”