49ers' Malik Mustapha Reportedly Expected to Miss Start of Season with Torn ACL Injury

San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha is not expected to be available at the start of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Mustapha suffered the injury after he was cleated in the knee during the second quarter of the 49ers' 47-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18 of the 2024 season.

His latest injury is related to an ACL tear that he experienced in the same knee while playing at Wake Forest in Jan. 2022, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

Mustapha was initially expected to be alright the day after the game, but an MRI revealed that a graft that had been placed in the knee from his previous ACL tear was torn and required surgery (via Wagoner).

The 49ers selected Mustapha with a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He opened his rookie season as a special teams contributor, gradually establishing himself as a starter on defense once Talanoa Hufanga suffered a wrist injury.

Mustapha ended his inaugural season with 72 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception in 16 games.

Per Wagoner, there isn't a definitive timeline on the 22-year-old's recovery but a midseason return in 2025 is considered "more likely."

His expected absence is a tough blow to a 49ers team that is looking to bounce back from a 6-11 finish in 2024 after making a Super Bowl appearance during their 2023 campaign.

San Francisco has several players that can step up for Mustapha until he's able to return including Ji'Ayir Brown, George Odum, Richie Grant and Jason Pinnock.

The 49ers also selected Kansas State safety Marques Sigle with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Saturday, and he could be thrust into early action as a rookie.