When asked a week ago if he would consider making a change at quarterback, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said, “No, I wouldn’t.”
On Monday, after Brian Hoyer’s uneven performance in the 26-23 overtime loss at Indianapolis, Shanahan said, “Everything is on my mind.” When asked if considering backup quarterback C.J. Beathard was still on his mind, “I look at every position.”
Then he went into specifics. “Brian did some good things in that game. By no means was it perfect. I still expect him to play better. I expect us all to play better, expect me to coach better. C.J. is doing a good job in practice,” Shanahan said.
So the door has been officially kicked open on playing Beathard. The whispers around the team were that Beathard wasn’t ready to assume the job. However, with Shanahan saying the fifth-round rookie is playing better in practice, it appears Hoyer is on notice. “…if we feel it’s the best thing for the team, the best thing for C.J. and the players around him, that’s when we’ll do that (consider a Beathard start).”
Hoyer almost assuredly will start this week in Washington. The 49ers then come home to play the playoff-worthy Cowboys and go back East to visit the revived Eagles. The schedule softens after that with the Cardinals (at home), Giants (home), Seahawks (home) and then at the Bears and Texans. That could be a time to insert Beathard if Hoyer continues to struggle.
Meanwhile, Shanahan said that linebacker NaVorro Bowman’s snaps will continue to be reduced. Backup Brock Coyle replaced Bowman on two of the team’s drives in Indy.
“….it’s really more what we think is best for Bo. It’s also what we think is best for our team,” Shanahan said. “I do strongly believe keeping Bo as fresh as possible gives him the best chance to be successful, which gives our team the best chance. Our defense has been averaging about 80 plays a game, and I think that’s a little too much for him, and really all the linebackers.”
Bowman will likely come off the field on the dime defense as well when rookie Reuben Foster returns from his ankle injury, which he sustained in the season opener. Foster is expected to practice on Wednesday, but by no means does that mean Foster will play Sunday in Washington Shanahan said.
The 49ers also pulled starting running back Carlos Hyde at the end of the game after he fumbled and missed a pass protection. Shanahan said that Hyde’s errors played into the decision to go with Matt Brieda. He also said that Hyde is definitely the starter, but the week of practice and the defense the 49ers are facing will dictate how much playing time Brieda will get.