Beathard has been receiving even reps with Matt Barkley during training camp as the two quarterbacks compete for the backup role behind Brian Hoyer to begin the season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Beathard appeared destined for third-string duty after being selected in third round in April, but his progression through offseason drills and the early stages of camp has afforded the 22-year-old an opportunity to battle for better slotting on the depth chart. While Hoyer is entrenched as the starter regardless of how the backup competition shakes out, his poor track record on the health front could allow Barkley or Beathard to see some meaningful snaps at some point during the regular season.