If there's a plus to the San Francisco 49ers dealing with so many injuries at the start of the season, it's the fact many of those injured players are poised to return in time for the playoff-crunch run.
And the Niners are still 4-1 after five weeks, first in the NFC West.
One of the few positives from 2024's otherwise dreadful year was then-rookie safety Malik Mustapha, whose Week 17 ACL tear was something of a shocker when the injury was revealed at the NFL Draft the following April.
The Niners responded by using a day-three pick on defensive back Marques Sigle, and while the rookie has been promising at various points, there is clearly a difference between him and Mustapha's prowess. And with neither Jason Pinnock nor Ji'Ayir Brown moving the needle too much for coordinator Robert Saleh's defense, it's more than safe to assume Mustapha's return to action will be a welcome addition.
By all points, it's awfully close to happening and could potentially come at the perfect time.
Malik Mustapha can't return to 49ers soon enough
San Francisco opened up Mustapha's practice window ahead of its high-profile Week 6 showdown on the road against the 4-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield playing at an MVP-caliber level, the 49ers will need all the help they can get to ensure they improve to 5-1 at Sunday's conclusion.
As for Mustapha, his first full practice ahead of the game indicates he'll be ready to go.
Malik Mustapha says he feels ready and expects to make his season debut on Sunday. He’s back here at practice looking excited to be back on the field. #49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/ehM6bQI0CL
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) October 8, 2025
When asked if he'd play with the same kind of intensity he displayed during his first year as a pro, Mustapha told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, "I didn't get surgery on my brain."
Despite having a problematic pass rush in the wake of defensive end Nick Bosa's season-ending ACL tear, the Niners nevertheless boast the ninth-best scoring defense over five games and have managed to patch together an effective secondary during that stretch.
Mustapha's return should only improve that figure and possibly help ensure Mayfield and the Buccaneers aren't able to capitalize on offense in a bout that could easily become a high-scoring affair.