49ers-Raiders inactives: Richard Sherman to play, CJ Beathard is the back-up

After two days of not being able to grip a football, C.J. Beathard will suit up Thursday night against the Raiders, but Nick Mullens will be the 49ers' starting quarterback against the Raiders, the team confirmed.

The 49ers made several roster moves in preparation for the game at Levi’s Stadium. The team released Tom Savage, which means the 49ers will enter the game with Beathard and Mullens as their active quarterbacks.

Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was promoted to the 53-man roster, and veteran outside linebacker Dekoda Watson and rookie safety Marcell Harris were activated off injured reserve.

The 49ers created two roster spots this week when they waived wide receiver Victor Bolden and cornerback Greg Mabin.

Beathard sustained injuries to his right wrist and thumb during the 49ers' 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. X-rays and an MRI examination disclosed no structural damage to his hand, but he experienced considerable swelling. He could not grip a football Monday or Tuesday.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday night on “49ers Game Plan” that Beathard had improved to the point he could hold a football and that he would throw some passes at Levi’s Stadium a couple of hours before kickoff.

“If C.J. can’t protect himself and doesn’t have the chance to play as good as he can, then it’s not about giving C.J. a break, it’s about helping C.J. out and helping him stay healthy and who gives us the best chance to win,” Shanahan said.

“As I’ve said, and I still firmly believe, if C.J. is healthy, he does give us the best chance to win. We just got to see if he’s going to be healthy.”

The 49ers promoted Mullens from the practice squad in Week 4 after Jimmy Garoppolo sustained a season-ending knee injury. The team had just two quarterbacks on its roster for the next three weeks.

The 49ers signed veteran quarterback Tom Savage on Oct. 16, then released him four days later to promote defensive back Tyvis Powell to the active roster for the game against the Los Angeles Rams. On Oct. 22, the 49ers re-signed Savage to a one-year contract, and he was inactive last week against the Cardinals.

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