Nick Mullens is the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback when the team returns from its bye in Week 12, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday.”Nick Mullens is our starter until I say differently,” Shanahan told reporters. “Going about it that way, and that’s how it’ll continue to be.”Mullens took over as the starter in Week 9 when C.J. Beathard was nursing a wrist injury on a short week. A second-year undrafted rookie from Southern Miss, Mullens starred on Thursday Night Football against the Oakland Raiders, throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 attempts.He made his second consecutive start Monday night against the New York Giants, falling just short of victory when his pass from the 21-yard line sailed out of bounds on the final play. Mullens’ stat line (27 of 39, 250 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions) wasn’t as pretty, but Shanahan was encouraged by what he saw.”I think it’s a positive experience,” Shanahan said. “The guy’s played one game in his career. I know statistically [his game against the Raiders] was the best start in NFL history — but I think Nick did some real good things yesterday, too.”…What I liked about Nick is he never seemed rattled throughout the whole game, continued playing. He was great after the game, he was great just watching the film with him. I say it was a good experience, a step forward, because I think he’ll get better from each experience he has.”Shanahan also credited Mullens for his ability to get through progressions — specifically citing the third-quarter touchdown to Matt Breida, Mullens’ last option in the progression — and for making good decisions to avoid sacks.Beathard, who has thrown for 2,682 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while going 1-9 as a starter over the last two seasons, will remain the backup for the foreseeable future.He was first thrust into the starting lineup after Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3. That was also when Mullens was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad, where he spent all of 2017 and the start of 2018.Tom Savage remains on the roster as a third option.The 49ers’ first game after the bye is a trip to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 25.
