The Arizona Cardinals have announced that Brian Hoyer will be their starting quarterback against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The 27-year-old joined the Cardinals three weeks ago after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters: "He's been in the league, he's a veteran guy. He did a nice job in last week's game and this is an opportunity to see what he can do with a week of practice and where he can go from there.

"It's no secret. We haven't gotten the production out of that position that we've needed.

"I think it's actually more than four if you consider back and forth, the way guys have started. We've got to get consistency at that position and this is an opportunity to see how Brian measures up."

Hoyer previously spent three seasons as Tom Brady's backup at the New England Patriots, before being released at the start of the season.

Kevin Kolb is out with a rib injury, while Ryan Lindley and John Skelton have been benched for not playing at the expected standard.