The San Francisco 49ers are facing an unexpected challenge that flew under the radar until recently. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, safety Malik Mustapha underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL after the 2024 season. The injury happened in Week 18 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals. This setback wasn’t widely known until now, adding a new layer to the team’s injury concerns. This revelation raises questions about how the 49ers will adjust moving forward and what it means for their defensive lineup.
Th͏is͏ Sunday, Co͏ach Yac͏ dr͏opped som͏e news on their X handl͏e: “M͏att Mai͏occ͏o͏ th͏inks Malik Mustapha (ACL͏) will start the season on PUP,͏ an͏d ͏Jason Pinnock ͏wil͏l step in as the s͏tar͏ti͏ng safety.” Back in Week 18, Mustapha took a cleat to the knee͏ duri͏ng a game. At first, e͏very͏one thought he was ͏g͏ood to ͏go. But an MR͏I later th͏at week ͏showed the graft from his 2022 ͏ACL ͏r͏epair had͏ a͏c͏tuall͏y torn. Cam Inman fr͏om͏ the Bay Area N͏ews ͏Gr͏oup confirmed the 4͏9ers annou͏nced Musta͏pha’s injury and ͏surge͏r͏y͏ Saturd͏ay nigh͏t.
Matt Maiocco believes Malik Mustapha (ACL) will start the season on PUP, and that Jason Pinnock will be the starting safety in his place pic.twitter.com/K4wy1kHO9k
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) May 3, 2025
Here’s the deal: rookie fifth-rounder Marques Sigle might need to step in right away. Mustapha likely won’t return until midseason. He was a 2024 fourth-round pick who played 16 games with 12 starts as a rookie. The 49ers also added safeties Richie Grant and Jason Pinnock in free agency but lost Talanoa Hufanga to the Broncos after his rookie deal expired.
So, who fills Mustapha’s spot? That’s still uncertain. Just days ago, KP floated three veteran options to hold the position—solid choices. But there’s another name: Chuck Clark. Pro Football Network named him the one free agent the 49ers should sign after the 2025 NFL Draft. If healthy by Week 1, he could be a serviceable plug-and-play fit. PFN describes him as a Robert Saleh disciple who could temporarily slide into the scheme.
But here’s the catch: in 2024, Clark allowed a 118 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Reference. Over 12 games, he committed four penalties, including one pass interference—just two yards, but it raises questions. Was it rare because he wasn’t targeted much, or because he struggled to keep up? He wouldn’t be a disastrous signing, but the 49ers have prioritized reliability at safety—and Clark doesn’t exactly scream “steady.”
KP may have had better options, but they’ll likely cost more. And with no clear timeline for Mustapha’s return, the decision is trickier than an episode of Succession.
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