Pickett to start at QB for 49ers

Santa Clara, CA (Sports Network) - The San Francisco 49ers, who have been riddled with injuries to quarterbacks this season, will start Cody Pickett for Sunday's home game against the New York Giants.

Pickett was thrust into action this past Sunday in a 15-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 49ers began the season with Tim Rattay as their starting quarterback, but he was traded to Tampa Bay on October 18 and rookie Alex Smith moved in as the No. 1 signal-caller. However, Smith sat out this past Sunday's contest with a knee ailment, while starter Ken Dorsey suffered an ankle injury in the game against the Bucs.

Pickett, who is in his second NFL season out of Washington, started the season No. 4 on the depth chart, but now is preparing for his first NFL start.

"Unfortunately you don't want it to happen the way that it did. You don't want anybody to get hurt," Pickett said. "You have to stay positive and ready to play, because if you don't you'll eventually get weeded out. You have to do your best to stay positive, focused and ready to play, so that when the time comes you'll be ready to play. That's what I've been trying to do and that is why I know that I have so much work to do this week."

On Tuesday, the 49ers signed Jesse Palmer to be Pickett's backup.
Smith and Dorsey both didn't practice on Wednesday and were listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
source : www.sportsnetwork.com