© Kelley L Cox | 2018 Oct 21
The Nick Mullens era begins Thursday evening vs. the Oakland Raiders.
The second-year quarterback will start his first regular-season game as a professional on Thursday. C.J. Beathard is also active, but will be the backup as he recovers from a right wrist injury sustained in last Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals.
Beathard was considered a game-time decision earlier this week after he was unable to hold a football with his right hand. Beathard entered the stadium on Thursday without tape or a bandage on the hand according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.
Mullens joined the 49ers alongside Matt Breida last May as undrafted free agents. Mullens spent his Southern Mississippi career breaking Brett Favre’s career passing and touchdown records.
Mullens served as the practice squad quarterback for the entirety of his rookie season. That continued into this year, until franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, elevating Mullens to Beathard’s former backup role.
Mullens has not taken a game snap since the preseason. But he impressed throughout the exhibitions, starting by leading the 49ers on a late game-winning drive in the preseason opener. He finished the preseason with a 72.1 percent completion rate, despite throwing three interceptions to one touchdown.