Colin Kaepernick will start at quarterback again for San Francisco Colin Kaepernick has earned himself a third straight start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement Wednesday that Kaepernick would go Sunday at St. Louis over Alex Smith after the second-year pro led the NFC West-leading 49ers (8-2-1) to victories in the past two games, his first two NFL starts. "The rationale is we have two quarterbacks that we feel great about as a starting quarterback," Harbaugh said. Both have earned it, both deserve it - Alex over a long period of time, Colin by virtue of the last three games. It tips the scales. Colin we believe has the hot hand. We'll go with Colin. And we'll go with Alex. They're both our guys. Kaepernick has completed 48 of 74 passes for 680 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and was sacked six times. He has a 102.3 passer rating. I don't know if it's a hot hand. Whatever you want to call it. I'm just happy I get to go back out there," Kaepernick said. It's a great chance to lead this team and show we're a great team and we can go into the playoffs. Smith, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick, hardly looked happy on the sideline during Sunday's win over the Saints after being medically cleared from a concussion suffered in the first half of a 24-24 tie against St. Louis on Nov. 11. Harbaugh also said the 49ers worked out kickers this week because kicker David Akers is nursing an undisclosed injury. Suh, fined $30,000, says kick of Schaub was accidental Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was fined $30,000 by the NFL on Wednesday, but said he didn't kick Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area on purpose in the Lions-Texans game Thanksgiving Day. ... Jared Allen's hit on Lance Louis knocked the Chicago Bears guard out for the rest of the season and earned the Minnesota Vikings defensive end plenty of scorn from his division rivals. It also earned him a fine from the NFL. Allen was fined $21,000 for the hit, according to a person with knowledge of the punishment who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league had not announced the fine. ... Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas said he was fined $15,000 by the NFL for his roughing the passer penalty against Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Sunday. Pagano to make the calls when returns to Colts' sideline Indianapolis Colts interim Coach Bruce Arians said Coach Chuck Pagano will make all the calls when he gets back on the sideline. Pagano has been on an indefinite leave from the team since being diagnosed with leukemia Sept. He's been undergoing chemotherapy. The team is hoping Pagano can make it back for the regular-season finale Dec. 30 against Houston. On Wednesday, Arians acknowledged that when Pagano returns - whether it's for the Texans game, earlier or perhaps for a playoff game - he will have full control of the team. Etc.: Jaguars claim Babin With a league-low 13 sacks, the Jacksonville Jaguars were looking for more production from their pass rush. Jason Babin could be the solution. The Jaguars claimed the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end off waivers from Philadelphia. The Jaguars will pay the remaining $1.69 million of Babin's 2012 salary, essentially taking a low-risk look at someone who could significantly upgrade one of the league's worst pass rushes. To make room on the roster, Jacksonville placed defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith (concussion/neck) on injured reserve. ... Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden practiced three days after sustaining a concussion and will start Sunday against Oakland. Weeden was injured in the final minutes of Sunday's 20-14 win over Pittsburgh. ... Oakland running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson returned to practice for the Raiders for the first time since missing three games with sprained right ankles. Both backs got hurt in Oakland's 42-32 loss to Tampa Bay on Nov. 4 and had not been cleared to practice until Wednesday. ... Detroit wide receiver Titus Young returned to the team. He practiced Wednesday for the first time since the Lions told him to stay away. He was deactivated for Detroit's 34-31 overtime loss to Houston last week because Coach Jim Schwartz said his behavior was "unacceptable" during the previous setback to Green Bay. ... Danny Amendola was pretty much a decoy last week, limited by a heel injury. The St. Louis Rams' leading wide receiver was back in a walking boot Wednesday and watching at practice. He was on the field for seven snaps in Sunday's victory at Arizona, with one reception for 38 yards. The Washington Redskins claimed linebacker Bryan Kehl off waivers and released linebacker Mario Addison.