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Report: Colin Kaepernick to start for 49ers

The 49ers reportedly go with backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick against the Saints on Sunday. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

at Candlestick Park on November 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has informed starting quarterback Alex Smith that backup Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, reports SI.com.

A source tells SI.com that the decision is not based on health. Kaepernick completed 16 of 23 passes for 243 yards and two TDs and no interceptions in the 49ers' 32-7 victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday night. It was Kaepernick's first career start and Smith did not play due to a concussion suffered the previous week.

"I usually tend to go with the guy who has the hot hand," Harbaugh said earlier in the week. "But we have two quarterbacks who have a hot hand."

Kaepernick led the 49ers to scores on their first four possessions against the Bears to build a 20-0 lead and opened up a 27-0 cushion with a five-play, 62-yard touchdown drive to start the third quarter.

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