SF 49ers: Top 5 standouts from disappointing Week 4 loss to Eagles

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Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: SF 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard

When Nick Mullens got pulled after his pick-six in the fourth quarter, it was up to backup quarterback C.J. Beathard to steer the team to the finish line. Though it wasn’t ideal for Beathard, he certainly had himself a solid two drives to close out the game.

In roughly seven minutes of action, the third-stringer threw for 138 yards on 14-of-19 attempts, including throwing seven straight completions on his opening drive, which ended in a running back Jerick McKinnon touchdown.

Beathard gets an easy pass to be on this list, but the fact he had a greater impact in garbage time than most of the starters should say a lot about this game.

It seems there may be a “backup quarterback” controversy brewing. Obviously, Jimmy Garoppolo is the starter and this is his team, but if he happens to either miss another week or go down again later, the SF 49ers need to have a capable replacement.

Let’s toss a lifeline to Mullens. The offensive line wasn’t great, to put it nicely. It allowed five sacks and never gave Mullens enough time to settle in the pocket. Credit to the Eagles defense for stepping up when it mattered, too.

Like you, we’ll be on “Jimmy G watch” all week to see if he’s healthy enough to play against the Miami Dolphins or if Beathard gets a chance to start.