LANDOVER, Md. _ Rookie C.J. Beathard replaced an ineffective Brian Hoyer at quarterback Sunday and sparked a valiant comeback, but the 49ers ultimately remained winless and fell 26-24 at host Washington.
The 49ers (0-5) have now lost a NFL-record five straight games by three points or less, getting defeated in overtime on the road the previous two Sundays.
Beathard finished 19-of-36 for 245 yards with a touchdown and interception for a 72.1 rating. His only carry was a 14-yard scramble on the snap before his first career touchdown pass, a 45-yard strike to Aldrick Robinson with 1:58 remaining.
Beathard and the 49ers got the ball with 52 seconds remaining and worked their way down field in a last-ditch rally.
With 9 seconds left, Beathard took his final shotgun snap and uncorked a pass toward former Iowa teammate George Kittle, but Washington Kendall Fuller intercepted it at the 32-yard line with three seconds remaining. Earlier, Pierre Garcon got called for a highly questionable pass-interference penalty on a pass intended for him, pushing the 49ers back to the 50.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins' 7-yard touchdown run with 3:34 remaining proved necessary insurance points for Washington (3-2).
That's because Beathard responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive over the next 1 { minutes, capped by a 45-yard touchdown strike to Aldrick Robinson with 1:58 remaining.
Down 14-0 when he entered 6:39 before halftime, Beathard helped rally the 49ers into a 17-17 tie, with their touchdowns coming on a pair of 1-yard runs by Carlos Hyde.
Playing their first game since NaVorro Bowman's release, the 49ers also did not have rookie linebacker Reuben Foster, who returned to practice last week but missed a fifth straight game because of a high-ankle sprain. With Brock Coyle starting in Bowman's place, Washington tested him and fellow linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong throughout the game, starting on a game-opening touchdown drive.
They next host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday before returning to the East Coast to visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 29.
Hoyer got pulled after four series all produced punts and just one first down, which came on a Washington penalty. Hoyer had thrown for 34 yards on 4 for 11 passing and a sack.
