The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their first practice of the week on Tuesday morning after four days off. If the first portion of practice is any indication, it looks like head coach Kyle Shanahan is preparing to enter Monday night's game against the New York Giants with Nick Mullens as his starting quarterback.
Mullens looked like the starter during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Quarterback C.J. Beathard, once again, looks set to serve as his backup against New York, according to the warmup reps to open Tuesday's session.
Order #49ers QBs took warmup reps today at practice:
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 6, 2018
1. Nick Mullens
2. C.J.Beathard
3. Tom Savage pic.twitter.com/3RYVNQbfyo
Mullens starting Week 10 wouldn't come as a surprise. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported over the weekend that, according to sources, it would be a "major surprise" if Mullens didn't start against the Giants.
Of course, it is important to note that nothing official has been announced by the team yet.
Update: Mullens confirmed to the media on Tuesday that he will start on Monday night against the Giants.
The media is not allowed to observe team drills during practice.
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group pointed out that Beathard was also seen working with the running backs during the portion of practice open to the media. That duty typically falls on the No. 2 quarterback.
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Mullens made his NFL debut last Thursday night when the 49ers beat the Raiders 34-3 at Levi's Stadium. He completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 262 yards with three touchdowns and a passer rating of 151.9.
Mullens started against Oakland because Beathard was bothered by wrist and thumb injuries and was unable to practice leading up to the game. It's the second consecutive year during which an injury has ended Beathard's role as the starting quarterback. Beathard served as Mullens' backup against Oakland.
The 49ers signed Mullens last year as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss while the team made Beathard a third-round draft pick out of Iowa.
Beathard started five games this season for San Francisco after five starts last year. He completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,252 yards with eight touchdowns passes, a rushing touchdown, and seven interceptions in his five starts since Jimmy Garoppolo's season-ending ACL injury.
