Nick Mullens is a backup quarterback who has often played this season with a supporting cast dotted with fellow reserves.
That will continue Sunday when the 49ers visit the Rams.
Mullens has endured a difficult season while filling in for Jimmy Garoppolo, and more unpleasantness could be on the horizon: The 49ers might be without two starting offensive linemen and their top two pass catchers when they face Los Angeles’ top-ranked defense, which ranks fourth in the league in sacks.
Of particular concern: Mullens’ blind side probably won’t be protected by Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and only has an “outside chance” to play, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
In addition, starting right guard Tom Compton suffered a concussion in practice Thursday, meaning rookie fifth-round pick Colton McKivitz will make his first career start. McKivitz, who has played 58 career snaps, figures to see plenty of All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who ranks third in the NFL with nine sacks.
Mullens also won’t have All-Pro tight end George Kittle (foot) and Shanahan indicated wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (COVID) is unlikely to play.
It’s not a great spot for Mullens. But he’s been in worse.
Two starts ago, Mullens’ top wide receivers were backups Richie James, Trent Taylor and River Cracraft in a 34-17 loss to Green Bay in which backup left tackle Justin Skule allowed a sack and pressure that led to Mullens’ two turnovers.
When asked to assess Mullen’s performance this season, Shanahan referenced his often-underwhelming offensive weapons.
“You look at the Green Bay game and a number of others,” Shanahan said. “And this one (against the Rams) is going to be tough, too. Any time you put a quarterback in there who hasn’t had two weeks in a row with the same group of receivers …
“And the same thing with the running backs and O-line. So I think that’s been a huge challenge for Nick.”
Mullens was a revelation in 2018 when he made eight season-ending starts: The undrafted free agent who had spent 2017 on the practice squad threw for 2,277 yards, the fourth most in a players’ first eight career games in NFL history.
In 2020, it appeared there would be more of the same after Garoppolo suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2. The following week, Mullens, making his first start since 2018, threw for 343 yards and one touchdown while committing no turnovers in a blowout win over the Giants.
However, he was benched after committing two fourth-quarter turnovers in his next start, a 25-20 loss to the Eagles, which began a lackluster three-start streak: Mullens enters Sunday’s game ranked 23rd in passer rating (89.1) among the 33 QBs with 100 pass attempts since Week 4.
Mullens has the NFL’s sixth-highest interception percentage (3.5) and has committed seven turnovers in his past three starts (five interceptions, two fumbles).
“For me, if I protect the football, I think I’m a pretty darn good quarterback and that’s really what matters most,” Mullens said. “And so I’d like to improve on that after these past couple of games. But other than that, just stick to my reads, stick to my progressions and be accurate. I’ve had some good plays. I’ve had had some bad plays. But you just keep working along and continue to work and execute at a high level.”
It’s not all bad news for the 49ers’ offense. San Francisco will activate running backs Raheem Mostert (ankle) and Jeff Wilson (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday and they will be considered questionable to play, Shanahan said. In addition, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) will return from a three-game absence.
Mullens, who made only one start with Kittle this season, has yet to make a start with Mostert in the backfield this season. And he’s made just one start with Samuel in the lineup.
“I think (Mullens has) been a really solid guy for us,” Shanahan said. “He gives us a chance to win, but we’ve got to play better around him in order for him to play to his full ability. We’ve got to have a chance to play better around him with getting a little bit more continuity here in the last six games.”
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch
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