49ers’ Kyle Shanahan on QB Nick Mullens: ‘I don’t think he played very well’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) less Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason ... more Photo: Jason Behnken / Associated Press Photo: Jason Behnken / Associated Press Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan on QB Nick Mullens: ‘I don’t think he played very well’ 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Nick Mullens, whose second career start Nov. 12 fell short of his sensational debut 11 days earlier, continued tumbling back to earth Sunday in a 27-9 loss to the Buccaneers.

In his first road start, the 2017 undrafted free agent completed 18 of 32 passes for 221 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. After not taking a sack in his first two starts, Mullens was dropped four times.

“I don’t think he played very well, just looking at some of our situations, but that wasn’t all on him,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “No one played very well, especially in the passing game.”

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Shanahan was asked if he needed to evaluate the quarterback position, where C.J. Beathard has been serving as Mullens’ backup.

“I evaluate it every week, honestly,” Shanahan said. “There’s no difference with that and I’ll continue to do that with every position on our team for the next five weeks.”

Mullens threw for just 45 yards in the first half. Both of his interceptions came in the fourth quarter.

“I think we are at our best when we focus, operate smoothly and execute,” Mullens said. “And I don’t feel like we did that today.”

Rookie rejuvenated: Rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis had four catches for 77 yards and accounted for the 49ers’ only touchdown on a 13-yard reception in the second quarter.

Pettis indicated he was dealing with an unspecified injury early in the season before he missed three games with a knee injury. He entered Sunday with seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

“The first games I played, I wasn’t completely healthy,” Pettis said. “I came back and was still kind of slow to get back into things. These last few games are really important just because I’m finally now feeling good and just being able to build off that going into next year. It’s going to be big.”

Injury report: Free safety Jimmie Ward sustained a broken left forearm for the second straight season in what might have been his last game with the 49ers.

Ward, a 2014 first-round pick in the final year of his contract, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. His latest injury means he will have finished four of his first five seasons on injured reserve.

Based on last year’s forearm injury, Ward said he knew Sunday’s forearm issue wasn’t minor.

“I told them it was messed up before,” Ward said. “Before I even got the X-ray, I knew what time it was.”

Ward was replaced by rookie D.J. Reed, who exited with a heel injury and was replaced by Antone Exum. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt exited with a shoulder stinger late in the fourth quarter.

Goodwin absent: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was excused from the teamfor personal reasons Saturday after he traveled with the 49ers to Tampa the previous day. Goodwin, who also was excused from a practice last week, was back in the Bay Area on Sunday.

“It’s a family matter, something personal,” Shanahan said. “He’s going through a serious situation. Our prayers are with him.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.