Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has gone through what the 49ers are currently experiencing with the franchise quarterback sidelined.
In 2013 and '17, the Packers had to make quick adjustments when Aaron Rodgers was lost for large portions of those seasons with injuries.
On Monday, C.J. Beathard will make his third consecutive start when the 49ers face the Packers at Lambeau Field. Beathard stepped in to replace Jimmy Garoppolo, who sustained a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 at Kansas City.
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“The biggest thing with a backup quarterback, especially when he’s young -- and just going through it last year -- is his ability to keep offense playing to the full menu of the game plan,” McCarthy said Thursday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters.
“You just look at their production and you have to say C.J. definitely does that. So that’s a compliment to him, but also got to compliment their coaching staff for having the young man ready.”
In two games with Beathard at quarterback, the 49ers have moved the ball. Beathard is completing 62.6 percent of his passes while averaging 323.5 yards passing per game.
But the 49ers lost to the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals in large part because Beathard committed six turnovers with two lost fumbles and four interceptions.
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In 2013, the Packers’ quarterbacks lost four fumbles and threw 10 interceptions in seven starts with reserves Matt Flynn, Scott Tolzien and Seneca Wallace replacing Rodgers. Last year, Green Bay’s offense stalled with Brett Hundley taking over. He lost two fumbles and threw 12 interceptions in 11 starts.
“You got to take away that football and there’s a heightened urgency for the defense and the coverage teams to do that,” McCarthy said. “But, more important, you have to take advantage of the football because every series you have as an offense is of higher value.
“With a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, you’re ability to score is a lot higher for every series. I really heightens the basics. Because at the end of the day, if you’re not going to win the turnover ratio, you’re going to be playing uphill each and every week.”