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Beathard injury not serious, Shanahan will decide on starter Wednesday

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C.J. Beathard’s left knee didn’t make Kyle Shanahan’s decision on quarterbacks easy. Beathard has a chance to play this Sunday in Chicago, after a MRI revealed a bruised knee and a hip strain. The nature of Beathard’s injury means Jimmy Garoppolo might not make his first start as a 49er against his hometown Chicago Bears, as Shanahan plans to decide on a starter by Wednesday of this week.

Beathard injured his knee when Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett crashed into him with 67 seconds left in the 49ers’ 24-13 loss. Garoppolo then completed two passes in his short stint, including a 10-yard scoring strike to Louis Murphy on the game’s last play.

Beathard was hit 14 times and sacked three times in the loss to Seattle. He often didn’t have enough time to operate, particularly with right tackle Trent Brown out with a shoulder injury. Brown hopes to return in time for Garoppolo to make his first start.

The former Patriots’ quarterback grew up 25 miles outside Chicago in Arlington Heights and could make his first start since being traded to the 49ers for a second-round pick on Oct. 31 if Beathard is unable to play.