Rookie Mustapha Steps Up as 49ers Grapple with Injury Woes.
The San Francisco 49ers face a tough challenge preparing for their upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks. Safety Talanoa Hufanga’s wrist injury has dealt a blow to the team’s defense, but it’s also opened the door for rookie Malik Mustapha to shine.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan broke the news Tuesday, revealing that Hufanga tore ligaments in his right wrist during Sunday’s game. The injury will sideline him for at least a month. This setback comes just as Hufanga found his groove after recovering from an ACL injury earlier in the season.
With Hufanga out, all eyes are on Mustapha. The rookie has already shown promise, racking up 147 defensive snaps this season. He got his first career start in Week 4 and made his presence felt with two passes defended in Week 5’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Shanahan praised Mustapha’s instincts, saying, “His knack for not hesitating stands out. We saw glimpses of it in the preseason, especially those big hits in the Tennessee game. He’s bringing that same energy to regular season play and getting faster each week.”
But it’s not all smooth sailing for the young safety. Mustapha has struggled with missed tackles, an issue that plagued the entire 49ers defense in their recent loss to the Cardinals. The team logged 12 missed tackles against Arizona’s hard-running James Conner.
They’ll need to tighten up their tackling game fast. The Seahawks are coming to town Thursday, led by their elusive running back, Kenneth Walker III. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has been prepping the team by showing highlight reels of Walker’s uncanny ability to stay on his feet and keep moving.
“It’s not a one-time thing,” Sorensen warned. “He just doesn’t go down easily. He’s a tough guy to bring down.”
Veteran linebacker Fred Warner remembers Walker’s slippery moves from last season. “I’ve seen that before,” he said, recalling a play where Walker spun out of what seemed like a sure tackle.
Mustapha is taking these lessons to heart. “That was a freakish play, for sure,” he said, referring to Walker’s highlight-reel run against the Detroit Lions. “It shows we need to swarm as a defense to get the ball carrier down.”
The 49ers’ injury woes don’t stop at Hufanga. Kicker Jake Moody is nursing a high ankle sprain, prompting the team to sign Matthew Wright to a one-year deal. Wright won a tryout against several other kickers and brought NFL experience from stints with four teams.
Despite the setbacks, there’s a silver lining. This short week could be just what the 49ers need to recover from their recent loss. As Shanahan put it, “It’s a blessing in disguise. We don’t have time to dwell on what went wrong. We have to move forward quickly.”
The coach also expressed shock at the New York Jets’ decision to fire former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. “I was pretty surprised,” Shanahan said. “They compete for first in their division and have a solid defense. It seemed like they had a chance for a great year.”
As for his defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen, Shanahan had nothing but praise. “Nick’s doing a real good job,” he said. “I’ve been impressed from the start. I like how he handles the staff, sets up practices, and calls the game. I’m thrilled with Nick so far.”
With a short week to prepare and critical players sidelined, the 49ers face an uphill battle. But with young talent like Mustapha stepping up and a veteran core determined to right the ship, they’re far from out of the fight. Thursday’s clash with the Seahawks will be an actual test of the team’s resilience and depth.