Every time someone from the San Francisco 49ers describes quarterback C.J. Beathard, they use the adjective "tough." During the 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Beathard once again showed everyone why. Fans already knew after watching him last year that the young quarterback could take a beating. Sunday was no different.
Beathard completed 62.2 percent of his passes for a career-high 298 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He faced a third-and-5 at the Chargers' 19-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Beathard scrambled out of the pocket and fought to make a play but came up short after a big hit from cornerback Casey Hayward.
When the play was over, Beathard remained on the ground as 49ers medical staff ran out to check him. Nick Mullens, who was on the practice squad until Wednesday, started to warm up his arm on the sideline. The 49ers have already lost one quarterback for the season. They could not afford to lose another.
Beathard was fine. He made his way to the sideline and even gave fans a thumbs up before entering the blue pop-up medical tent for further examinations. The 49ers wanted to make sure he didn't suffer a concussion. It turns out, he just had the wind knocked out of him.
"I knew I was okay," Beathard said after the game. "I just couldn't breathe because I got my air knocked out really bad. I knew it would come back eventually. I felt fine."
Beathard's toughness and competitiveness resonate with his teammates.
"You see a guy like that putting his life on the line and trying to get the first down every time or touchdown, it makes you want to do it too," running back Matt Breida said in the locker room.
Beathard and tight end George Kittle are pretty close. They were, after all, college teammates at Iowa before the 49ers drafted them. Kittle spoke to reporters after the game and discussed his quarterback and friend.
"C.J.'s a guy that's one of the most competitive people I've ever been around," Kittle said. "He hates losing more than anybody that I know. I mean, he played the game angry. That's just how he plays it, and it's awesome.
"You could say he's a little bit more mature (compared to last year). We all are after getting a year under our belts, and the guys responded to C.J. being out there. I think we responded really well and we're looking forward to having C.J. lead us here on out."
Some of Kittle's responses during the discussion were pretty entertaining. Does the tight end worry about the hits Beathard is exposed to?
"No, he's a badass," Kittle responded. "He's good. C.J.'s got more grit than anybody I know."
Kittle was also asked about Beathard's physique, with the reporter noting that the quarterback doesn't appear to be built like someone who can take a big hit.
"No. He's got a severe dad bod," Kittle responded with a serious look on his face. "He can run longer than anybody I've ever known, which is kind of crazy, and he can take any hit, so it's pretty cool. I don't know how he does it."
Sunday was Beathard's first start since being replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo after Week 12 last year. How was the outing now that he has a bit more NFL experience?
"It felt a lot more comfortable being out there, being in control," Beathard said. "It definitely felt a lot more comfortable than last year."
The 49ers won't find success relying solely on Beathard's arm, toughness, and competitiveness. His teammates, who have a lot of faith in their young quarterback, will need to elevate their play as well.
"Going from Year 1 to Year 2 is such a big difference," fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. "I'm sure the game has slowed down big-time for him. The guy's got an extreme arm talent. He can put the ball anywhere. As long as we can protect for him (and) get open, he's going to make plays."