Photo credit: sfgate.com

By Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It all comes down to Nick Mullens. Few would have thought we’d ever hear those words in San Francisco, but there is a chance that the undrafted second-year Southern Miss quarterback get the start on Thursday against the Oakland Raiders.

Mullens has split time between being the backup and practice squad QB in his year and a half with the Niners.

CJ Beathard is a game-time decision this week due to an injured wrist that was so severe, he was struggling to hang onto the ball in practice on Monday.

A sarcastic fan may ask if Beathard has been hurt this entire season due to his ten-plus turnovers since week three.

But that is not the case. A hit helmet on the follow-through of a pass in the third quarter may be the cause to the third-stringer getting his big chance on primetime.

With Beathard now in question, Mullens gets his chance in the limelight to win over the hearts of the red and gold. He’s got the pedigree too.

A graduate of Southern Miss, he hails from the football factory that produced Brett Farve. The 6-1 quarterback holds every record in the school’s history including throwing for a career 11,994 yards, good enough for sixth in NCAA history.

Named was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, where he threw for a combined 62 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Mullens would face the 1-7 Oakland Raiders, as the Niners continue through their easiest three-game stretch of the schedule. The Raiders demise with John Gruden back at the helm has kept the spotlight off the horrendous season happening in Santa Clara, but now it arrives in the worst primetime game in NFL history.

The Raiders look lost on defense this year, after dealing Kahlil Mack to begin the season. Without him, they have the 26th-ranked defense that fails to find the quarterback, averaging less than a sack per game.

Their offense is somehow worse, ranked 27th in the NFL with 19.7 points per game. They’ve shown an inability to move or stop the ball and are easily the 49ers easiest opponent on the season.

After dumping Sunday’s game in yet another blown lead heading into the fourth quarter, the 49ers could sure use a win. As of right now, they’re the clubhouse favorites to draft first overall at this year’s draft. The difference between being 2-7 and 1-8 may lie on the hands of a quarterback making his debut.

Notes: Greg Maybin and Victor Bolden were both waved on Tuesday as the Niners stayed pat at the trade deadline.