The San Francisco 49ers’ 124th overall pick from last year’s draft, Malik Mustapha, did a nice job filling in for Talanoa Hufanga, who missed ten games in 2024 with injury. Mustapha recorded 72 tackles, two TFLs, one interception, and five pass deflections in 16 games and 12 starts. He excelled in coverage, giving up a jaw-dropping 35.0% completion percentage, 83 passing yards, one touchdown, and an impressive 44.4 passer rating.
He is looking to build off his strong start to 2024 and carry the momentum into the 2025 season. However, he is dealing with a significant injury.
The San Francisco 49ers’ star suffered a major injury late
Malik Mustapha exited in the second quarter with a knee injury in Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals after taking a cleat to the knee, and he did not return. After the game, Mustapha told the media that his knee felt OK. However, an MRI later determined that he had aggravated his torn ACL, which he sustained in his right knee during his time with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in January 2022.
Since the injury occurred later in the season, there’s a chance he could miss the start of 2025.
San Francisco 49ers’ starter receives brutal injury update
According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, Malik Mustapha has been rehabbing his knee at the team’s facility and is “doing really well.” However, because his injury occurred later in the year, as Wagoner points out, he doesn’t have a definitive timeline for his return. There is a chance he will miss the start of the 2025 season, but he could be ready midseason.
“There is no definitive timeline on Mustapha’s return but, given how late in the year the injury occurred, it’s unlikely he will be ready at the start of the season with a midseason return more likely, sources said,” Wagoner said. “Mustapha did, however, recover quickly from his previous ACL injury and there was no meniscus or cartilage damage in Arizona.”
Who replaces him for the time being?
Marques Sigle will compete for the starting safety job if Malik Mustapha misses time. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Sigle with the 160th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After spending the first three years of his college career with the North Dakota State Bison, he transferred to the Kansas State Wildcats in 2023 and recorded 123 tackles, ten TFLs, four interceptions, one pick-six, and 12 pass deflections in 25 games.
Jason Pinnock will also compete for the starting job. The 49ers signed Pinnock to a one-year, $2.2 million contract. After spending his rookie year with the New York Jets, he spent the last three seasons with the New York Giants and recorded 211 tackles, 12 TFLs, two interceptions, one pick-six, and ten pass deflections in 46 games and 37 starts.
