49ers S Malik Mustapha (knee) set to make season debut

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th October, 18:12 2025

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha (6) gestures after defending a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha is set to make his season debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he was activated from the physically unable to perform list following a knee injury.

The 49ers also elevated defensive lineman Trevis Gipson from the practice squad, while defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. was waived.

Mustapha, 23, played in 16 games (12 starts) as a rookie last season after he was drafted in the fourth round. He made 72 combined tackles (two for a loss), one interception, and five passes defended. He finished 14th in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Gipson, 28, has been in one game this season, participating in eight plays on special teams and six on defense during a 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 2.

Beal, 26, played in a 21-26 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 28, seeing action in 12 plays on defense and 18 on special teams.

--Field Level Media