Niner Noise
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49ers preseason: Player stock watch after Week 3 loss to Vikings

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Carlos Hyde #28 against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Carlos Hyde #28 against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Quarterback C.J. Beathard

Rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard certainly turned some heads the first two games of the preseason. He even earned some praise on NFL Network in advance of Sunday’s game:

Beathard could still be in the discussion as a possibility to start for the 49ers in 2018 after a year of grooming — an argument Niner Noise made not long ago.

But Week 3 of the preseason forced us to pump the breaks a bit.

Yes, Beathard finished 7-of-13 for 159 yards with one touchdown and an interception. But 87 of those yards came off a screen pass to running back Raheem Mostert, who found his way to the goal line.

And while the interception wasn’t exactly Beathard’s fault — wide receiver Louis Murphy had a would-be catch knocked out after he hauled it in — a good chunk of the quarterback’s throws were high and off target.

This game should serve as a reminder Beathard is still raw and needs plenty of polishing.

We can’t crown him the future under center yet.

Stock: Down