Niners’ QB Controversy: Conflicting Reports Emerge on Week 12 Starter

Conflicting media reports emerge on the 49ers’ QB situation. Will it be Colin Kaepernick or Alex Smith? (Ezra Shaw, Norm Hall / Getty Images)

Not only is there a quarterback controversy in the 49ers’ locker room (there is, no matter what Jim Harbaugh will tell you), but it appears that there is media controversy as well.

Wednesday night, SI.com’s Jim Trotter tweeted that Colin Kaepernick would start against the Saints in Week 12 over Alex Smith:

BREAKING: Jim Harbaugh has informed Alex Smith that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday, per source. Said decision not based on health.

— Jim Trotter (@SI_JimTrotter) November 22, 2012

Harbaugh reportedly told Smith, “I’m going with Kaepernick, Alex. I’m sorry.”

But ESPN then came out and said that Smith had told Trent Dilfer that Kaepernick would be getting first team reps during practice, and a starter was yet to be announced:

Alex Smith just told @tdespn that Harbaugh told him Kaepernick would get 1st team reps but door open to start game based on practice

— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) November 22, 2012

And early this morning, Mike Florio of NBC Sports confirmed that “Kaepernick has been told only that he’ll get first-team reps in practice,” per a league source.

So it seems like we have a little SI vs. ESPN-NBC battle going on. With social media and advances in technology, journalists are constantly trying to break the news first, and gain publicity for themselves.

Unfortunately, it because of this that the media is losing more and more integrity, credibility, and respect these days.