The San Francisco 49ers are expected to make a key lineup change in their secondary when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
According to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, third-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown is likely to start alongside rookie Marques Sigle, giving the 49ers a new-look safety duo for their Week 6 matchup.
The adjustment means veteran safety Jason Pinnock, who started the first five games of the season, will likely see his role reduced. However, Maiocco notes, "Pinnock still could see action in certain defensive packages."
The move comes as San Francisco gradually works second-year safety Malik Mustapha back into the rotation. Mustapha, who suffered an ACL injury in the final game of the 2024 season, had his practice window opened last week and was officially activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Saturday. He is active for Sunday's game.
Mustapha started 12 games as a rookie in 2024 and emerged as one of the team's biggest surprise contributors, exhibiting energy and physical play while providing a boost to the defense.
The 49ers enter Week 6 against the Buccaneers still searching for their first interception of the season, joining the New York Jets as the only NFL teams yet to record a pick.