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49ers QB Colin Kaepernick welcomes blitz, return of healthy TE Vernon Davis

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The last time Colin Kaepernick faced the St. Louis Rams, less than three weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback shredded their pass defense for 343 passing yards with three TDs and no interceptions.

So why should this weekend at Levi’s Stadium be any different?

“They have a lot of different things they can do,” Kaepernick said. “Very good defense. We have to be ready for them.”

Kaepernick said it with a straight face.

Why is that important? Well, the Rams are last in the NFL in completion percentage defense (70.4 percent), sacks (6) and Total QBR (86.4).

And yet, St. Louis loves to bring the heat ... to no avail.

The Rams are blitzing at the highest percentage of any team this season, 44 percent of dropbacks per ESPN Stats & Info, but that did not faze Kaepernick at the Edward Jones Dome on Oct. 13.

Two of Kaepernick’s touchdown passes came against the blitz and, in his career, he has a 21-3 TD-INT differential against blitzes.

It’s as if he welcomes the additional pressure.

And now, Kaepernick regains the use of a healthy security blanket in tight end Vernon Davis, whose 28.4 receiving yards per game is his lowest average since 2008.

Plus, his drop percentage of 13 percent and his receiving percentage of 60.9 percent are his worst since 2006. The nine-year veteran’s yards-after-catch average of 2.2 yards is his worst ever.

Still, just having Davis, who has missed two games, on the field has been a boon for Kaepernick in his career.

Consider: Kaepernick’s completion percentage with Davis in the game is 62 percent, compared to 56.7 percent when he’s off the field. Same with yards per attempt (8.3-6.1), TDs to interceptions (38-11, 4-5) and total QBR (74.2-41.1).

So what is Kaepernick expecting from his injured teammate coming back healthy this weekend after the bye?

“Production,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing we look for. Come back, make plays.”