Beathard will remain in a reserve role this Sunday against the Texans after head coach Kyle Shanahan named Jimmy Garoppolo the starting quarterback on Monday, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.

Analysis: Beathard's recent hip and knee ailments made it easier for the 49ers to give Garoppolo his highly anticipated first start Sunday, which resulted in San Francisco earning its second victory of the season. Although Beathard was available as a backup, Garoppolo's strong showing cemented his starting status for this weekend. Considering Garoppolo's pedigree, it'd be surprising if he didn't start each of San Francisco's four remaining games, likely leaving the rookie Beathard's fantasy value reliant…read more

Beathard (knee/hip) doesn't have a designation on the 49ers' final injury report for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Analysis: As expected, Beathard is healthy enough to serve as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup. Barring an injury or a completely disastrous performance by Garoppolo, the rookie likely will play out the rest of the season in a backup role.

Beathard (knee/hip) was limited in practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: A mere spectator Wednesday, Beathard was present during the portion of Thursday's session open to the media, per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. Beathard must participate both Thursday and Friday in order to serve as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup Sunday in Chicago. As a result, Friday's injury report will provide the final word on Beathard's Week 13 availability. In the event Beathard doesn't get the all-clear, the 49ers can elevate undrafted rookie Nick Mullens from the practice squad.

Beathard (knee, hip) didn't practice Wednesday, but he's expected to take part Thursday and Friday as he prepares to serve as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup for Sunday's game in Chicago, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Beathard is recovering from a knee contusion and a hip strain, both of which are considered minor injuries. It's unclear to what extent those ailments played a role in the decision to make Garoppolo the starter, but there's at least some chance the 49ers will evaluate their quarterback situation on a week-to-week basis the rest of the year. It thus won't come as any surprise if Beathard gets another opportunity, though he'll only be available in a backup capacity this weekend.

Set for reserve duty Sunday

Beathard (knee/hip) will be relegated to a reserve role Sunday in Chicago after head coach Kyle Shanahan named Jimmy Garoppolo the starting quarterback for the contest.

Analysis: Beathard suffered a knee contusion and hip strain in the late stages of Sunday's defeat to the Seahawks. allowing Garoppolo to make his first appearance as a 49er. Garoppolo proceeded to lead the offense to its only touchdown of the day with 1:07 left on the clock and 23 yards from the end zone. Prior to Beathard's departure, Shanahan had been steadfast in his support of the rookie, despite much perceived progress statistically or otherwise, As a result, Garoppolo may just be a placeholder for…read more

Bruises knee, strains hip

Beathard sustained a bruised knee and strained hip during Sunday's 24-13 loss to the Seahawks, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. "It was good news, nothing serious or long-term," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. "We'll look into it more tomorrow."

Analysis: Under the direction of Beathard, the 49ers have averaged a meager 16.3 points per game across six appearances, but Shanahan has nonetheless been pleased by his improvement from week to week. Having the confidence of his boss is likely one reason Beathard has been able to fend off Jimmy Garoppolo for as long as he has. The double whammy of ailments could turn the quarterback depth chart on its head, at least in the short term, if Beathard isn't able to practice this week. Expect a decision to…read more

Believes he avoided ligament tear

Beathard (leg) doesn't think he tore any ligaments, saying his injury could just be a bone bruise, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis: Beathard will have an MRI on Monday, after exiting Sunday's 24-13 loss to the Seahawks with about a minute remaining in the game. He struggled prior to the injury, completing 22 of 38 passes for 201 yards and an interception. Even if his early optimism is confirmed and all ligaments are intact, Beathard wouldn't necessarily be healthy enough to play Week 13 in Chicago. He mentioned after the game that he also felt pain in his hip, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Jimmy…read more

May have serious leg injury

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that Beathard may have suffered a serious leg injury in Sunday's 24-13 loss to the Seahawks, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. "I've got a lot of respect for how [Beathard] plays," said Shanahan. "He gets better each week and hopefully (the injury) is not as bad as it looked"

Analysis: Beathard was pulled after taking a big hit with about one minute left in the game, finishing 22-of-38 passing for 201 yards with no touchdowns and one interceptions. He did add 21 yards on six carries, but he also took three sacks and didn't lead the Niners to any points until their eighth drive of the game. Jimmy Garoppolo came in for the final three snaps and completed both of his pass attempts for 18 yards and a touchdown. The ongoing quarterback debate would quickly become a moot point if…read more

Beathard completed 22 of 38 yards for 201 yards and an interception during Sunday's 24-13 loss to Seattle. He added 21 yards rushing on six carries.

Analysis: The biggest sequence of the game for Beathard came in the closing moments of Sunday's action where Beathard was taken out after a tough hit. Trade-acquisition Jimmy Garoppolo promptly threw a touchdown in relief. The 49ers staff has been slow to go with Garoppolo since trading a second-round pick to New England and Beathard was coming off a three-touchdown game against the Giants, but this will be Garoppolo's team sooner or later. Depending on Beathard's health, the time frame might creep up.

Beathard (thumb) wasn't listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Analysis: Beathard has benefited from the 49ers' Week 11 bye, taking every first-team practice rep Wednesday over Jimmy Garoppolo. With his thumb injury a thing of the past, Beathard will continue to serve as the starting quarterback Sunday against the Seahawks and beyond.

Getting another start

Beathard (thumb) will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Analysis: San Francisco general manager John Lynch spoke in support Beathard on Tuesday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Wednesday that the rookie will receive at least one more start. Beathard will face a Seahawks defense that actually looks a bit vulnerable sans Richard Sherman (Achilles) and Kam Chancellor (neck). Even so, the 49ers are still expected to take a look at Jimmy Garoppolo for at least one or two games before the end of the season.

The 49ers haven't decided on a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, but general manager John Lynch seemingly vouched his support for Beathard (thumb) on Tuesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. "You watch the way C.J. Beathard played the other day, he looked like he could be the guy. That's a good issue," Lynch added.

Analysis: Lynch also spoke well of Beathard's challenger for the starting role, Jimmy Garoppolo, stating that the newly acquired quarterback is "going to be our guy" rather than an asset the team would look to trade away in the offseason. With that in mind, it still seems likely that Garoppolo will unseat Beathard before the season is out, but Lynch said that he would leave the Week 12 starting decision up to head coach Kyle Shanahan, who is expected to reveal his choice Wednesday. Beathard's numbers…read more

Nursing injury to right thumb

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Beathard, who injured his right thumb during Sunday's victory over the Giants, underwent further testing that did not reveal any fractures, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Beathard doesn't seem to be dealing with a significant injury and has over a week off to rest thanks to the 49ers' Week 11 bye. However, Shanahan was non-committal on naming his starting quarterback for the Week 12 game against the Seahawks, which suggests there's legitimate uncertainty surrounding Beathard's impending availability. If the rookie ultimately doesn't recover in time, Jimmy Garoppolo would likely take over under center.

Beathard completed 19 of 25 pass attempts for 288 yards, two touchdowns and one interception Sunday against the Giants. He also carried five times for 15 yards and a touchdown in the 31-21 win.

Analysis: Beathard an impressive 76 percent of his passes while averaging a healthy 11.5 yards per attempt. He connected with Marquise Goodwin in an 83-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and hit Garrett Celek for a 47-yard score just before the half. Beathard posted a solid yardage total for the second straight week and has now scored rushing touchdowns in three of his last four starts. Despite his improvement of late, the rookie could very well lose the starting gig to the newly-acquired Jimmy…read more

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Friday that Beathard will start Sunday's contest against the Giants, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Beathard will fend off Jimmy Garoppolo for another week, but at some point the 49ers will see what they have with their new signal caller. In the meantime, though, Beathard will focus on a Giants defense that has conceded at least three touchdown passes in four of the last five games.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan expects Beathard to start Sunday's game against the Giants, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The 49ers acquired Jimmy Garappolo from the Patriots last week, setting in motion a changing of the guard at quarterback. Shanahan appears to be playing it safe until Garappolo has a better understanding of the offense, but he also would like to see the new signal caller take the field "hopefully sooner than later." Until Shanahan decides to pull the plug on Beathard, the rookie will prepare for the Giants, who have given up the fourth-most passing yards per game (265.3) this season.