Report: 49ers to start Kaepernick Sunday

Interview with Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday afternoon

By The Sports Network

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers will reportedly start Colin Kaepernick at quarterback instead of Alex Smith for Sunday's road game against the New Orleans Saints.

A source told SI.com Wednesday night that the decision to start the former Pitman High School star wasn't based on health. His first career start came in Monday's 32-7 rout of the Chicago Bears.

Kaepernick, who grew up in Turlock, started in place of Smith, who is suffering from a concussion he sustained in a Nov. 11 tie against the Rams.

"To me, it's the opposite of a controversy," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Kaepernick went 16-for-23 for 243 yards and led the 49ers (7-2-1) to scores on their first four possessions Monday night.

After the game, members of the media asked Harbaugh who would start at New Orleans. He responded, "I usually tend to go with the guy that has the hot hand and we have two quarterbacks that have a hot hand."

BELOW: Interview with Alex Smith earlier Wednesday