Golden Nuggets: C.J.’s status for Thursday up in the air

This Thursday night’s game was hyped up during the offseason with the 49ers having Jimmy Garoppolo for a full season and the Oakland Raiders hiring Jon Gruden as their head coach. Now the game pits two of the worst teams in the NFL. The 49ers have been devastated by injuries and continue to make mistakes that lose them games. The Raiders have traded 2 of their best players in Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper in less than half a season.

The injury bug has now hit the 49ers backup quarterback C.J. Beathard. He suffered a hand injury in Sunday’s loss against the Cardinals. He is expected to be a game-time decision for Thursday. With that in mind, 3rd stringer Nick Mullens is preparing to start against the Raiders. This would be his 1st NFL game. He started off with the practice squad, but moved up after Jimmy’s injury. The 49ers decided against going after a quarterback and felt confident in Jimmy’s backups.

This is the last game the 49ers will play against the Raiders while they are still the Oakland Raiders. The 49ers are favored in this home game and they have a chance to have add to their one win. If C.J. isn’t able to go on Thursday, the 49ers will probably not be favored. At least Nick Mullens will have an easier team to play against in Oakland.

49ers links

Having a good 1st year | Offensive rookie of the year candidate (Cooper)

He has a few years to get this right | Shanahan’s job security (Inman)

A lot of work to do (Wagoner)

He’s a good piece to build around McGlinchey is one of the top run blockers (Gayle)

Short week (Chan)

C.J.’s health (Alper)

Nick Mullens (Inman)

His 1st NFL game and start | Mullens could get Thursday night start (Madson)

Only the Raiders are worse | Almost to the bottom of the power rankings (Madson)

Roster moves (49ers staff)

Bolden and Mabin waived (Williams)

2nd year players waived (Almquist)

Different than last year | No big trades this year (Inman)

Could change if Mullens is named starter | 49ers favored against Raiders (Madson)

Confident in Mullens (Almquist)

C.J. injury update (Zarett)

Will C.J. play? (Biderman)

49ers are being patient after uneventful trade deadline (Almquist)

Nick Mullens is preparing to start (Maiocco)

Tuesday moves (Maiocco)

Game-time decision | C.J.’s availability (Maiocco)

Staying with the current squad (Biderman)