Why 49ers rookie Mustapha started over Brown in win vs. Bears

After playing much of the season with Ji'Ayir Brown and rookie Malik Mustapha as their starting safeties, the 49ers changed it up in their 38-18 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Talanoa Hufanga, who returned to the field after suffering a wrist injury in Week 5, did not play alongside Brown as he did throughout the 2023 season. Instead, Kyle Shanahan and the coaching staff decided to pair Mustapha with the All-Pro. "Just how Malik has been playing," Shanahan said when asked about the decision. "I think Malik has been playing at a high level. He's been one of the better players on our defense over the last month or so. It was nothing against Tig, we still want him to be out there, but when we had to make a decision we kept Mustapha out there." Mustapha led the safeties on the field for 45 of the defense's 52 plays. Hufanga played on 39 snaps or 74 percent while Brown recorded 15 plays or 28 percent. In his return, Hufanga registered five tackles — two solo. "I thought he did a real good job," Shanahan said. "Loved having Huf back. Even the first play of the game for him to get in there on that tackle, his communication, everything, just helping the defense...