The San Francisco 49ers will be starting Nick Mullens at quarterback versus the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football, the team announced.
C.J. Beathard, who's battling a wrist injury, will be active, but will serve as Mullens' backup with his injury affecting his grip on the football, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 49ers waived third-string pivot Tom Savage earlier Thursday, causing speculation that Beathard had a chance to start.
Mullens is a second-year undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss., and has yet to throw an NFL pass. He completed 72.1 percent of his passes over four preseason contests, tossing one touchdown and three interceptions while adding another two scores on the ground.
