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49ers Face Safety Depth Challenge as Malik Mustapha Sidelined Until Midseason

The second-year safety's ACL re-injury highlights San Francisco's ongoing efforts to rebuild its secondary after a tumultuous 2024 season.

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Malik Mustapha San Francsico 49ers

Overview

  • Malik Mustapha, who tore his ACL graft during the 49ers' 2024 season finale, is expected to miss the start of the 2025 season, with a midseason return more likely.
  • This marks Mustapha's second ACL injury in the same knee, following a similar tear in 2022 during his college career at Wake Forest.
  • San Francisco has bolstered its safety depth by signing veterans Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant, while drafting Kansas State's Marques Sigle in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
  • Mustapha's absence follows the free-agency departure of Talanoa Hufanga, leaving Ji’Ayir Brown, Pinnock, and rookie Sigle as key candidates to fill the starting safety roles.
  • The 49ers' 2024 season was plagued by injuries, leading the league in adjusted games lost, prompting a renewed focus on durability and versatility in their defensive roster rebuild.