The San Francisco 49ers may be without one of their starting safeties to begin the regular season.
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, safety Malik Mustapha sustained an ACL injury in the 49ers’ season-ending loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He’s expected to miss the start of the season with a projected midseason return.
Wagoner reported a graft from a prior ACL injury was damaged and needed a repair.
Via ESPN:
Although Mustapha departed the Arizona game with a knee injury and did not return, he was thought to be OK and in the locker room with the team the day after the game. Later that week, an MRI revealed that the graft that had been placed in the knee was torn. Mustapha had surgery to repair the knee after the issue was discovered.
San Francisco added a few safety options in the offseason. Former Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant signed in the free agency. Former New York Giants defensive back Jason Pinnock is capable of playing that spot as well. The 49ers also selected Kansas State safety Marques Sigle in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
Mustapha, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft, put together a strong rookie season after he was thrust into a starting role because of an injury to Talanoa Hufanga. He started 12 of the 16 games he played and posted an interception and five pass breakups. Mustapha also racked up 72 tackles and two tackles for loss.
