After strong debut, 49ers quarterback Mullens has the job

The 49ers are sticking with Nick Mullens as their starting quarterback after his spectacular debut performance.

Mullens said coach Kyle Shanahan told him Tuesday that he will remain the starter for the upcoming game against the Giants.

“We discussed it,” Mullens said. “The team is ready to get to work and treat it like any other week. My preparation doesn’t change, and this team’s preparation doesn’t change. We’re excited to keep things going.”

Mullens worked with the starters during a limited practice as the 49ers (2-7) prepare for the Monday night game. C.J. Beathard remains in the backup role after losing the starting job because of an injured wrist.

Mullens was sharp in his debut after spending his first year-plus in the NFLon the practice squad as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 262 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 151.9 passer rating in a 34- 3 victory over the Raiders.

Mullens joined Hall of Famers Jim Kelly (1986) and Fran Tarkenton (1961) as the only QBs to throw for at least 250 yards and three t ouchdowns without throwing an interception in their NFL debuts. Even if the Cowboys were better than 3-5, Jerry Jones says he would have plenty of cause for concern based on what he saw in a damaging loss to the Titans.

And the normally upbeat owner and general manager doesn’t care to discuss the NFC East standings, even though the Cowboys can pull even with the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles by getting their first road win of the season Sunday in Philadelphia.

“We’re not in anything if we don’t play better,” Jones said after a 28-14 loss to the Titans that looked like it could be a blowout win midway through the first quarter. “Our record could be better than it is right now, and we’d still be in trouble.”

The Cowboys traded for a new No. 1 receiver in Amari Cooper and fired offensive line coach Paul Alexander during a surpris- ingly busy open week. The changes looked good early, but everything changed with Dak Prescott’s throw to Cooper in double coverage in the end zone with a 7-0 lead. Kevin Byard intercepted, the Titans drove 80 yards in 15 plays for the tie and never trailed again.

“I don’t know how to articulate my patience or lack thereof, and I’m not trying to be smart,” Jones said. “I just don’t have an assessment of my patience right now.” The Lions released RB Ameer Abdul- lah, cutting ties with their seldom-used, second-round pick from the 2015 draft. They also signed RB Zach Zenner and WR Bruce Ellington. Abdullah had one carry, two catches and returned four kickoffs in three games this year. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice to give his broken left index finger a rest but is expected to play on Thursday night when the Panthers visit Heinz Field. Roethlisberger said the finger was “fine” after he threw the ball 47 times in Sunday’s victory over the Ravens.