49ers open practice window for injured defensive starter, pave way for his return

The San Francisco 49ers on Monday opened the practice window for second-year safety Malik Mustapha.

Mustapha was participating in the individual portion of Monday’s bonus practice for the 49ers according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. The 2024 fourth-round pick has been out since sustaining an ACL injury in the 49ers’ 2024 season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Initial reporting from ESPN’s Nick Wagoner indicated Mustapha would be back mid-season. Mustapha pushed back on that timeline on Twitter, but his return to practice in Week 6 puts him on track for a mid-season return.

The 49ers didn’t have to report practice participation for the Monday session, so it’s unclear exactly how much Mustapha was able to do. His return sets up some interesting questions for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Rookie safety Marques Sigle has been playing well alongside veteran Jason Pinnock who nailed down a starting job early in camp.

San Francisco will put out a practice report after Wednesday’s session. Chances are we won’t see Mustapha back in action after only one week of practice, but his practice window being open means there’s a chance he could be back for the team’s Week 6 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers have 21 days to decide on whether to activate or place Mustapha on season-ending IR.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers injury update: Malik Mustapha returns to practice before Week 6