Remember that Week 5 game against the Niners? Yeah, Malik Mustapha sure does, and unfortunately, so do we. That hit on *our* Cooper Kupp on the decisive fourth down sealed a huge win for San Francisco, and it was a moment where Mustapha truly exploded onto the scene after a rough start to his season. For fans here in Seattle, that play is etched in our memories as the Niners improved to 6-0, leaving us with a bitter taste.
From Sidelines to Game-Wrecker: Mustapha’s Tough Road Back
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Mustapha in the early weeks, let me tell you. The guy missed most of training camp with a hamstring strain, so he spent the first month basically glued to the sideline, watching. He was behind Ji’Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle in the safety pecking order, only getting sporadic defensive snaps. Talk about frustrating, right? But then, Sigle got hurt, and that opened the door for Mustapha, a 2024 fourth-round pick who everyone thought would be a cornerstone on defense after his rookie year. And man, did he kick that door open.
First It Was Us, Then It Was Washington: Mustapha’s Game-Saving Plays
His real breakout moment was against our Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. He was flying all over the field, making a spectacular pass deflection, and then that hit on Cooper Kupp on fourth down? Game, set, match. It was brutal for us, but undeniably a huge play. Then, in a tense primetime game against the Washington Commanders, Mustapha once again played the hero. Washington was trying to pull off an insane comeback, down 23-3 with just over two minutes left, sitting on the 49ers’ 17-yard line. Mustapha shut them down cold. He fired into the backfield, stuffing Jeremy McNichols on third-and-3, then made an insane play on the ball to stop Treylon Burks from catching a touchdown on fourth down. That touchdown would’ve given Washington a shot at taking the lead with an extra point. The Commanders got one last chance, but Mustapha’s heroics meant they never even sniffed the end zone again.
That Rabid Dog Mentality: Kittle Knows What’s Up
It’s clear that Mustapha’s early season frustration was palpable. Niners tight end George Kittle even said Mustapha was “gnawing on a bone like a rabid dog” when he wasn’t playing. Kittle praised Mustapha for taking advantage of his opportunity, highlighting the “juice” he brings to the defense, how it helps guys like Fred Warner, and keeps his teammates alive. Kittle specifically called out that incredible fourth-quarter stuff of the running back as “fantastic.” That kind of energy, that drive to prove himself, it’s what propelled him into these game-saving performances.
That kind of juice, that kind of performance, it’s why the Niners are sitting pretty at 6-0. Mustapha’s early season frustration has clearly been channeled, and while it stings to remember his impact on our Week 5 loss, you gotta respect the turnaround. He’s a problem for the rest of the league, and a clear reminder of the challenge ahead for our Seahawks as we fight through the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
Leave a Reply