T
he San Francisco 49ers are rolling to begin the 2025 season. Possessing a 4-1 record, and coming off of a massive week five overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers are in sole possession of first place in the NFC West and are also tied for the best record in the entire NFL. Hungry to avenge a 6-11 season from 2024, the 49ers are clearly very locked in.
And ahead of their week six showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 49ers received very good news that could provide them with an even bigger boost as they play through the rest of their schedule. Recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last season, safety Malik Mustapha had his practice window opened and is now designated to return.
What This Means?
It is unknown when the original injury happened, but Mustapha reaggravated an old ACL injury during week 18 of the 2024 season, forcing him to go on the PUP to start this season after getting surgery in January to reattach a graft in his right knee. But now, Mustapha is healthy enough to begin practicing, with the 49ers opening up his 21-day practice window in the hopes that he will be activated. It is still to be determined if Mustapha will play against the Buccaneers in week six, but he can be activated at any time, and a good week of practice could mean a return sooner rather than later.
But if Mustapha is not activated during the 21-day period, he will need to go on the season-ending injured reserve and will not be able to play for the 49ers again until 2026. Already down multiple starters, getting Mustapha back is huge for the 49ers— who proved during his rookie season that he is a superstar. In his absence, rookie safety Marquis Sigle and veteran Jason Pinnock have handled the starting duties.
Looking at the Other 49ers’ Injuries
Mustapha is one of many players that the 49ers are missing, and also one of many to be on either the PUP or the IR. The most notable are tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the latter of which is still a ways away from returning and if things keep looking how they are, Aiyuk is in jeopardy of missing the entire season with a torn ACL that he suffered midway through last season.
Kittle, who suffered a hamstring injury in week one of last season, was placed on the short term IR and is nearing a return, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he is a “long shot” to play in week six. A return in week seven for a Sunday Night Football contest against the Atlanta Falcons is the more likely scenario for Kittle.
The fact that the 49ers are 4-1 with the amount of injuries that they have is a testament to the type of organization that they are. The rest of the season will be no easy task for the 49ers but with momentum and confidence firmly on their side, expect them to be very competitive in the NFC.
49ers Open Practice Window for Second-Year Safety