The injury toll continues to build for the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Nick Mullens had replaced Jimmy Garoppolo after the starter suffered a high ankle sprain. In Week 15, Mullens injured his elbow and could require Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. That moves C.J. Beathard into the starting lineup for Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Garoppolo returned to practice in Week 16, but he is not expected to start on Saturday. Josh Johnson would have been elevated from the practice squad, but he was placed on the COVID-19 injured reserve list. The 49ers will add another quarterback for depth, but Beathard will start.
Fantasy Football analysis: 49ers QB C.J. Beathard
Beathard has come on three times in relief of the starter this season and last started a game in 2018. He can chuck up big yards in garbage time against good teams, but don’t expect any kind of consistent production from him. Considering this is championship week for most fantasy leagues, you will not be rolling the dice and starting Beathard.
The bigger question is what it means for the rest of the roster. He’s not really an upgrade or downgrade from Nick Mullens. Neither is particularly good, and while Mullens seems to have more of Kyle Shanahan’s faith, it doesn’t make him a better quarterback.
Brandon Aiyuk, and Jeff Wilson are decent starts with Raheem Mostert and Deebo Samuel both sidelined. Beathard could get George Kittle back, with Kyle Shanahan saying Kittle would play if he could be medically cleared. Kittle hasn’t played since November 1, but would be worth a start if you’ve sat on him since then. If he sits, Jordan Reed is a modest start option in deeper leagues.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Sit C.J. Beathard