San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh share his views on quarterback situation – NFL News
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to announce starting quarterback for Week 13 game against St. Louis Rams later this week.
Alex Smith, who suffered a concussion during Week 10 game against Rams, has been reportedly cleared for contact, while backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick has also done well in Smith’s absence by securing two victories in a row.
Kaepernick’s impressive record has made it somewhat difficult for Harbaugh to decide the starting quarterback, but many reports suggest that Smith is going to start on the offence.
The reason, as described by Harbaugh, is:
“Alex Smith is our starting quarterback. He has not done anything to lose that job. In fact, he’s playing at a very high level.”
In Week 11 victory over Chicago Bears, Kaepernick was 16 of 23 for 243 yards for two touchdowns, while in Week 12 victory over New Orleans Saints, the quarterback was 16 of 25 for 231 yards and got a passing as well as a rushing touchdown.
When asked about how he will make the decision on starting quarterback, Harbaugh said:
“I think it starts with this week, this game. What gives our team the best chance to win this game, like it would at any position.”
Appreciating Kaepernick, the 49ers head coach said:
“You can’t categorize him as a backup quarterback because he’s started games, and played very well in those games.”
Harbaugh has also acknowledged that both players are very talented and playing very well at present. This has given birth to a unique situation where one quarterback will have to sit despite having a good record.
Harbaugh said of the situation:
“In a unique situation you have two quarterbacks that are playing at a very high level. One’s your captain. One’s your starting quarterback. The other has played great football the last three football games.”
Meanwhile, the players have also expressed confidence in both players, but some of them have preferred playing with Smith on the starting line. A day earlier, tight end Vernon Davis appreciated Kaepernick for his good performance, but said he still backs Smith to start.
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