"You bring guys in just to see where they're at to make sure they haven't just been sitting on the couch for the last couple months," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday. "They've still been working out. They can still function. Then, you mainly go off of what you saw on tape."
The 49ers didn't sign any of the seven quarterbacks they brought in. As expected, San Francisco promoted Nick Mullens from the practice squad to the active roster. The team will head into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers with C.J. Beathard as the starter and Mullens as his backup.
The 49ers are just too banged up right now to be able to carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, especially considering that only two will be active on game day.
General manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Friday morning and discussed the 49ers' decision not to sign a quarterback and move forward with Mullens as Beathard's backup.
"We would have liked to have signed someone, but the way our roster was with injuries, we just weren't able to," Lynch said on the "Murph & Mac" show. "Hopefully, after this week, some things will settle down, and we'll be able to take a good look at that again.
"The reality is, though, every week we go in with two quarterbacks. We've never done that since we've been here — gone in with three quarterbacks active. You go in with two active, and Nick Mullens is a guy who's impressed us since he's been here with his grasp of the scheme and his ability to go make plays.
"Nick will be on the game plan and all that. Like I said, we've got a ton of belief in C.J., and hopefully, he gets through this game, but if not, we trust in Nick Mullens to be able to go and operate our system."
The 49ers and Chargers kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT on Sunday from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers free agency: 5 backup QB options if Mac Jones is traded
Brock Purdy was the catalyst behind the San Francisco 49ers' late-season run, before the loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the finale, accounting for 19 touchdowns (three rushing) in that six-game win streak. A turf toe suffered in the opener was a nagging injury that ultimately... -
49ers free agency: Is Najee Harris an ideal backup for Christian McCaffrey?
The San Francisco 49ers received more than many anticipated from Christian McCaffrey last season. After an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, some questioned whether the veteran running back could return to elite form. He answered those doubts with 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17... -
Should the 49ers trade Mac Jones or retain him as a backup?
With Brock Purdy entrenched as the starter, the acquisition of Mac Jones as a backup in 2025 added a new dimension to the team's quarterback room. After navigating a challenging period in Foxborough, first-round draft pick Jones (15th overall) eventually made a successful... -
49ers reportedly hiring Jerry Gray for key defensive coach role
The San Francisco 49ers continue reshaping their defensive staff under head coach Kyle Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the 49ers are expected to hire veteran assistant Jerry Gray to replace former defensive backs...