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Colin Kaepernick will start for 49ers, Jim Harbaugh announces

After two strong weeks in relief of Alex Smith, Kaepernick is now officially San Francisco’s starting QB.

Stacy Revere

Jim Harbaugh made it official on Wednesday, announcing that Colin Kaepernick would be the 49ers new starting QB in his weekly press conference.

Harbaugh had been playing the decision close to the vest for the last two weeks, but it comes as no great surprise that he eventually went with his promising second-year QB.

Alex Smith was putting together one of his best seasons as a professional in 2012, completing 70% of his passes while throwing for 1,731 passing yards, 13 TD’s and 5 INT’s this season. However, Kaepernick’s running and play-making ability gives the San Francisco offense another dimension.

A 6’4 230 dual-threat QB from Nevada, Kaepernick had been receiving playing time as the 49ers Wildcat QB this season, but when Smith went down with a concussion two weeks ago, he grabbed control of the 49ers offense and hasn’t looked back.

The 25-year old has completed 64% of his passes and thrown for 680 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT this season while also adding 214 yards and 4 TD’s on the ground.

San Francisco is 2-0 in his starts this season: a 32-7 victory over the Bears and a 31-21 defeat of the Saints.

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