When the 49ers lost Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this season, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the team would eventually add a veteran quarterback to the roster.
With C.J. Beathard elevated to the starting job, his only backup has been Nick Mullens, a second-year undrafted free agent from Southern Mississippi promoted from the practice squad. That left the Niners in a precarious position if Beathard were to go down. And, in the games since he’s been the No. 1, Beathard has been hit often.
So, the 49ers have turned to Tom Savage for insurance.
Savage, known for his strong arm, was a fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh by the Houston Texans in 2014. Though his career has had more downs than ups, he at least brings plenty of experience to the position in case Beathard goes down.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has started nine NFL games in the 13 he’s appeared in, all with the Texans from 2014 through 2017. He has a 2-7 record in those starts. He had his most action last season with the Texans, when he started seven games, completed 56.1 percent of his throws for 1,412 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions and a quarterback rating of 71.4. He also was sacked 21 times.
Now 28, Savage signed with the Saints in the offseason and played in three preseason games but was released before the regular season.
“He’s got a strong arm, he’s a very tough player, he hangs in the pocket and plays the position well,” Shanahan told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday. “I was a fan of his coming out of college.”
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Shanahan said he was able to watch film of Savage from his preseason games with the Saints and believed Savage might be a good fit with the 49ers because the Saints run a similar offense to the Niners. Plus, New Orleans coach Sean Payton gave him a strong recommendation.
Said Shanahan: “He’s gotten to play in a number of NFL games, so he’s been battle tested.”
Shanahan said even though Savage has more game experience than Mullens, Mullens will be the No. 2 quarterback.
“One guy knows our offense and knows how to line people up, and has played in it, done a lot of good things, and our team has confidence in him,” Shanahan said of Mullens.
The 49ers, 1-5 this season, will play the undefeated Los Angeles Rams Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m.
