San Francisco is holding its first of four practices this week today at 12:50 p.m. PT. The team is preparing to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Mustapha suffered an ACL injury in the final game of the 2024 season but has steadily progressed in his recovery. While there was speculation he might return earlier than expected, the 49ers took a cautious approach, which led to him beginning the season on the PUP list.
"His recovery and how he is, is as good as it could be," head coach Kyle Shanahan said back in July. "Just the way he works, the way everything checks, it's amazing, but it's still an ACL, so you've still got to give it the time."
General manager John Lynch echoed that sentiment, adding, "He wants to be out there today, believes that he could be, but we have to kind of hold him back."
Mustapha emerged as a surprise standout during his rookie campaign in 2024. He appeared in 16 games with 12 starts, finishing with 72 tackles (two for loss), one interception, and a pass defended. His return could bolster San Francisco's secondary as the team seeks to maintain its lead in the competitive NFC West.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Former 49ers safety makes bold prediction about Kyle Shanahan's offense in 2026
The San Francisco 49ers made a major effort this offseason to improve their wide receiver room. The biggest addition was veteran Mike Evans, who gives quarterback Brock Purdy a reliable boundary and red-zone target unlike any receiver he has had during his NFL career. The... -
49ers' most glaring roster weakness: Why safety is a 2026 concern
49ers Webzone writer Bob Heyrman recently ranked the San Francisco 49ers' position groups heading into training camp, placing safety at the bottom of the list and identifying it as the team's biggest concern. "Perhaps they surprise us, and I will gladly revisit that assessment... -
Watch: 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall gears up to silence doubters in 2026
San Francisco 49ers veterans report to training camp on Saturday, and for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the 2026 season represents a chance to prove he was worthy of the team's first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pearsall has missed 14 games over his first two NFL... -
49ers' Brock Purdy left out of ESPN's top-10 quarterback rankings
The debate over where San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy ranks among the NFL's elite continues. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continued his annual NFL position rankings this week, unveiling his list of the league's top quarterbacks. The rankings are based on feedback from NFL...