QB Mullens leads 49ers in NFL debut

Nick Mullens completed 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in his NFL debut to spark the 49ers to a 34-3 victory Thursday against the visiting Raiders.

Mullens, who started in place of injured C.J. Beathard (right wrist), threw touchdown passes of 24 yards to Pierre Garcon in the first quarter, four yards to Kendrick Bourne in the second and five yards to George Kittle in the third for the 49ers (2-7). His 151.9 passer rating was the highest for a quarterback with at least 15 passes in an NFL debut since the 1970 merger.

Mullens spent all of last season on the 49ers’ practice squad, then was promoted when starter Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a seasonending knee injury in September.

The Raiders (1-7) did nothing offensively after opening the scoring with a field goal and were outgained 405 yards to 298 on their way to their fourth consecutive loss.

Gase defends Tannehill

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will miss his fourth consecutive game Sunday against the Jets because of an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder.

Backup Brock Osweiler has played well in his place, but coach Adam Gase dismissed detractors who argue it’s time for the Dolphins to move on from Tannehill.

‘‘What qualifications are we talking about with the people saying that? None,’’ Gase said. ‘‘So I don’t really care what anyone else thinks.’’

Oklahoma RB to enter draft

Injured Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson announced on social media that he will skip his senior season next year and enter the NFL Draft in the spring.

Ex-SI writer Zimmerman dies

Longtime Sports Illustrated NFL writer Paul ‘‘Dr. Z’’ Zimmerman died at 86 in Noblesville, Indiana. He had three strokes in 2008 that ended his writing career.