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Friday update: Kyle Shanahan confirmed on his regular Friday radio appearance that Nick Mullens will start on Sunday when the 49ers face the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
The San Francisco 49ers are facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 3, and we can probably expect a new quarterback on Sunday. Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an ankle sprain, and while the 49ers have expressed some optimism it won’t be a lengthy absence, head coach Kyle Shanahan effectively announced that backup Mullens will be the starter this Sunday.
49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan today, when asked who would be the team’s starting QB Sunday at the Giants: “Most likely Nick Mullens. I mean, I’d be surprised if Jimmy (Garoppolo) is ready.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2020
Mullens came on in relief of Garoppolo last week and finished the game 8 of 11 for 71 yards and one interception. Prior to that, the last time he attempted a pass in a regular season game was Week 17 of the 2018 season. After Garoppolo tore his ACL, C.J. Beathard took over. An injury resulted in Mullens moving into the lineup. Over eight games, Mullens completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,277 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The 49ers opened as four-point favorites against the Giants, climbed to 4.5, and are back down to four. Although the 49ers have expressed optimism about Garoppolo, the injury appears to be baked into the line — or people are just reeeeeeally down on the Giants without Saquon Barkley.