The 49ers’ 2024 season was supposed to be a return to the Super Bowl after the previous year’s heartbreak. However, what it turned out to be was a year full of hospital trips instead. After the conclusion of last season, the 49ers reportedly finished 32nd in adjusted games lost (AGL). It’s a metric that measures the aggregate impact of injuries on a team throughout the season. That explains why the 49ers went from Super Bowl trips to finishing dead last in their division. Injuries on both sides of the ball decimated their season. But somehow, they managed to hide one behind the long list of players who had more surgeries than overall wins.
ESPN reported on Sunday, “The Niners didn’t escape their final game against Arizona without adding one more injury to the list.” Apparently, it was rookie safety Malik Mustapha who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the second quarter of their season finale against the Cardinals. What made Mustapha’s ACL more concerning was that it was the same knee on which he had suffered an ACL tear in college. Once Mustapha left the game, early signs showed he was alright.
However, when the MRI came back, it showed his ACL was torn. This pushed Mustapha to an emergency surgery to repair his knee. But thankfully, ESPN also revealed that a source in Santa Clara said Mustapha is rehabbing well. Still, it’s difficult to predict a return date given how late his injury occurred. That’s where a doctor of physical therapy, Jeff Mueller, came in. As per his assessment, Mustapha is expected to miss the start of the season. A midseason return is more likely, depending on how quickly he recovers. Before suffering his massive setback, Mustapha filled in amicably for then-fellow safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Pretty wild that the 49ers were able to keep this quiet for so long.
Malik Mustapha tore his ACL week 18 (Jan 5th) vs ARI. Not sure when surgery was done.
Just say beginning of February.
Wk1: 7 months 7 days
Wk8: 8 months 26 days
He likely misses half+ of the season. https://t.co/MgDHZKL4Pw
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) April 27, 2025
After Hufanga was suffering from his own injury concerns, Mustapha started 12 games in the Niners’ last line of defense. He logged an interception, five passes defended, and 72 tackles. All in his rookie year after the Niners used a 4th-round pick on him. With Hufanga’s departure to Denver in free agency, Mustapha was set for a starting role in the Bay Area. However, his ACL may hold his undisputed starting safety status for some time. In his place, the 49ers are expected to start their rookie safety, whom they just selected at No.160. It’s like a deja vu for the Niners in their safety position.
49ers fifth-round pick Marques Sigle may get a starting berth sooner than expected
Other than Malik Mustapha, the 49ers may already have Ji’Ayir Brown and Jason Pinnock in their safety room. But after they chose Kansas State’s 5-foot-11, 199-pound safety Marques Sigle. It wouldn’t surprise many if the 49ers end up giving the rookie early reps before his seniors. The way their general manager, John Lynch, described Sigle may have already spilled the 49ers’ stance on their possible starting safety this season. “He’s a guy who can really run. He’s got a lot of versatility to his game,” Lynch revealed. Sigle himself talked confidently about his ability to play multiple positions. “I can play free safety, strong safety, nickel and dime.”
But Sigle’s versatility ain’t the only thing that made the 49ers use a fifth-round pick on him. Lynch added, “He’s a good tackler. A term we use is taking the grass and this is a guy who takes the grass. He takes the fight to the ball carrier to the receiver. I think he’s going to be a really good fit for us.” In the last two seasons, Sigle posted 123 tackles, 4 interceptions and 16 pass breakups. At the combine, he was one of the fastest safeties, having run a 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds.
So, speed, agility, versatility, and undeniable grit—all the traits required to be a successful safety in the NFL—are all there in Sigle. That’s why until the 49ers get Mustapha back, Sigle might be the best backup available.
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