The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran quarterback Chris Weinke.
Former Panther to act as back-up for Hill
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran quarterback Chris Weinke as they look to overcome injuries suffered by both Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer.
Smith, who has not played since a 24-0 loss at Seattle on November 12, will miss the remainder of the season following surgery, scheduled for Thursday, to correct a third-degree separation of his right shoulder.
Back-up Dilfer started the past four games but suffered concussion during last week's 27-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Shaun Hill will therefore likely make his first career start for the 49ers on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, with Weinke serving as back-up.
Despite never before having thrown a pass in an NFL game, Hill completed 22 out of 28 passes for 180 yards with a touchdown and interception when he replaced Dilfer.
Released by the Carolina Panthers in March, the 34-year-old Weinke has played in only six games during the last three years.
Weinke started 15 games for the Panthers as a rookie in 2001, passing for 2,931 yards - the second-highest rookie total in NFL history behind Peyton Manning.
Downhill
But Weinke's career quickly went downhill and, over the next five seasons, he played in just 12 games.
Weinke has completed a career total 373 out of 687 passes for 3,800 yards with 14 touchdowns and 26 interceptions - all with the Panthers.
Smith was hurt when he was sacked by Rocky Bernard of the Seahawks on September 30.
He missed two games following the injury, but returned against the New Orleans Saints on October 28.
However, after two more starts, Smith said he did not feel 100 percent and a subsequent MRI scan revealed that the injury had not healed.
