Beathard will be the second-string quarterback in Saturday's preseason tilt against Denver, Cam Inman of The Mercury News reports.
Beathard had been operating as San Francisco's third-string quarterback, behind starter Brian Hoyer and fellow backup Matt Barkley. The movement up the depth chart may be temporary, but it's a positive sign for the rookie signal caller, as it shows that the coaching staff is giving him serious consideration in a battle for the 49ers' primary backup job.