49ers Notebook: Mustapha expects to play vs. Buccaneers; Piñeiro reaches out to Moody; Collins earns high praise

Several San Francisco 49ers players spoke to reporters in the locker room on Wednesday as the team gears up for its Week 6 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Both teams enter the matchup at 4-1, looking to solidify their spot among the NFC's best.

Malik Mustapha ready for return

The 49ers officially opened the practice window for safety Malik Mustapha this week. The second-year defender, who suffered an ACL injury in last season's finale, began this season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list but insists he's ready to contribute.

Mustapha was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. When asked if he expects to be the same "heat-seeking missile" that defined his rookie year, Mustapha responded confidently: "I mean, I didn't get surgery on my brain, so it's the same thing. I'm just trying to pick up where I left off, and keep the main thing the main thing."

As for his expectations for this weekend, Mustapha was asked if he expects to play against the Buccaneers. "Of course," he responded.

When asked if he feels ready to do so, Mustapha stated, "I've been ready."

He added that his mindset has been about staying steady throughout the preparation process.

"I mean, just getting back into the routine, getting back to the mix," Mustapha said. "Don't try to do anything crazy, don't try to do the big thing too fast. Just take it step by step. Same thing how it was in my rehab—not trying to do too much in a short amount of time.

"And now, I'm getting back to the swing of things, and once I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go."

Eddy Piñeiro shows support for Jake Moody

New 49ers kicker Eddy Piñeiro, fresh off an NFC Special Teams Player of the Week performance, revealed that he recently reached out to his predecessor, Jake Moody.

San Francisco waived Moody after his early-season struggles, paving the way for Piñeiro's arrival.

"At the end of the day, I'm just tired of everybody talking about Jake Moody," Piñeiro said. "I talked to him the other day, and he's a great kicker. I messaged him the other day, and he's going to do well in this league.

"He just had a bad stint here, and sometimes you just need a fresh start. He's got my support, and he's going to do well."

Piñeiro also delivered a memorable quip about his 41-yard overtime kick against the Rams, which bounced off the upright before going through and giving San Francisco the lead.

"I didn't hit it the best, but I feel like it had a shot," Piñeiro said. "And then, once it 'French kissed' the pole—I'm going to be taking that pole to dinner soon."

Christian McCaffrey on 49ers' youth

Contributions from younger players have fueled the 49ers' strong 4-1 start. While some saw the youth and inexperience as a potential weakness heading into the 2025 season, running back Christian McCaffrey sees it as a strength.

"It's huge," McCaffrey said. "I think youth is often talked about in this league as a bad thing, just because of the lack of experience, but I think youth is great. It's new energy, it's fresh energy, it's guys that play fast, who are hungry. And if you can get everybody dialed in mentally and up to the standard, it's an awesome thing."

McCaffrey pointed to rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins, whose late-game forced fumble and recovery at the goal line against the Rams prevented a potential go-ahead score and sent the game into overtime. It is an excellent example of the team's infusion of youth paying early dividends.

McCaffrey added, "And I think our young guys have shown so much spark, and that play that he made was one of the best I've ever seen, so definitely excited about our youth."

Fred Warner praises Alfred Collins' clutch play

Veteran linebacker Fred Warner echoed McCaffrey's praise for Collins, highlighting the rookie's game-changing moment. Warner even believes the rookie defensive lineman has shown more awareness than he did as a rookie.

"Let me just say that I've had a lot of punch-outs in my career, and I've never had one of that magnitude, in that kind of situation, a gotta-have-it moment on the goal line," Warner said. "Incredible play, one of the best plays I've seen by any player because of the play itself and the situation.

"I for sure never made close to that type of play in my rookie year. He's far ahead of where I was, so the sky's the limit."