San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha continues to make strides in his recovery from a torn ACL sustained during the 2024 season finale. The injury was related to a previous ACL tear in the same knee, which occurred in January 2022 while he was at Wake Forest.
Fortunately, ESPN reported that Mustapha's latest setback did not include any meniscus or cartilage damage.
Additionally, a recent video shared on social media shows the second-year safety making encouraging progress in his rehabilitation.
#49ers S Malik Mustapha posts him moving extremely well 21 weeks post-op 👀
Will he be back sooner than anticipated from a torn ACL? pic.twitter.com/c1NmIrFO0v
— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@TheSFNiners) June 20, 2025
Mustapha is expected to begin the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, alongside wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from ACL and MCL injuries suffered in October. Players on the PUP list must miss at least the first four games of the season.
Still, the latest footage suggests Mustapha could return to make a meaningful impact later in the year.
With Talanoa Hufanga now with the Denver Broncos, the 49ers are expected to start newly signed veteran Jason Pinnock and third-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown in Week 1 when the team opens the season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7.
Mustapha wrapped up his rookie campaign with 72 tackles (two for a loss), five passes defensed, and one interception over 16 games (12 starts). He played 75% of the 49ers' defensive snaps in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference. San Francisco selected the hard-hitting safety in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.