Cornerback Greg Mabin was one of two San Francisco 49ers players who made Pro Football Focus's Week 4 NFL Team of the Week (the other was tight end George Kittle).
"An undrafted free agent in 2017, Mabin saw 29 snaps on the field on Sunday (against the Los Angeles Chargers) and was targeted five times," wrote Gordon McGuinness. "From those five targets, he allowed just two receptions for 18 yards and a passer rating of just 50.4. Mabin also finished the day with three tackles, with two of those resulting in a defensive stop."
Count three-time first-team All-Pro cornerback and teammate Richard Sherman among those who were impressed with Mabin.
"I think for a guy to come in and get a tackle and a forced fumble in his first two reps, I'd consider it a very fruitful day for him," Sherman told reporters before Thursday's practice. "I think that he came out there and executed. He played hard. He brought energy, intensity. We were happy about it.
"The coaches have been talking about him for weeks because he's had amazing days in practice. He's been incredible, locked in, and executing. So it was good to see him get his opportunity."
In addition to the forced fumble mentioned by Sherman, Mabin finished Sunday's game with four combined tackles.
"Greg Mabin, over the last few weeks, has been doing an excellent job with his practice habits," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said on Thursday. "He earned the right to at least be part of the rotation with playing time."
What did Saleh see out of Mabin during Sunday's game?
"Great intent, everything he showed in practice," Saleh answered. "Great physicality, competitive toughness, communication skills. He did play very well in the game. He gave up one, but it was well-contested."
Saleh wouldn't hint at who might start at cornerback on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Sherman is trying to work his way back onto the field after suffering a calf injury on September 23. Should he be able to go, it might be a battle between Mabin and fellow second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for playing time opposite the veteran. Defensive back Jimmie Ward is also in the mix.
"I'm really looking for one of them to grab hold of it and just have a stranglehold on it and not let it go," Saleh said. "When you get your opportunities in this league, never leave doubt."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was also pleased with Mabin's performance against the Chargers.
"I was happy with how he did," Shanahan said on Monday. "He came in, made two big plays on his first two plays in. His first two plays were right after the interception that they returned, the one that we had in our red zone and they returned it [...] Mabin's first play in he had a tackle for about a one-yard gain. His second play in, he caused a fumble. Then the third play, we got off the field on third down.
"I was really happy with how he played, and that's why he got some time. That's how he's looked in practice, and he carried it over to the game."
