RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe San Francisco 49ers safety battle is going to have a little bit of a different look after safety Malik Mustapha went down with a hamstring injury he sustained in Monday's practice .
Through the first few days of camp it was Mustapha rotating in with second-year safety Marques Sigle at the strong safety spot alongside free safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Whatever plan the 49ers had for mixing and matching that group throughout camp will have to be altered while Mustapha is out.
It's still unclear how long Mustapha will be out. The only news on his injury is that he suffered a hamstring strain that figures to cost him at least a few practices. If it's a bad strain it could cost him the full preseason.
Perhaps a veteran like Ashtyn Davis or Siran Neal sneaks into the starting mix, but signs would seem to point to Sigle getting extended run with the first-team secondary next to Brown. His performance in the span of time Mustapha is out could ultimately decide how the 49ers proceed with their starting safeties to start the year.
Sigle could put a stranglehold on a starting job with a strong showing during Mustapha's absence. If he struggles, it could mean the end of the second-year safety's bid to earn a starting spot in 2026.
This will be Sigle's second opportunity to nail down a starting spot. He was a starter out of the gate last season, but when Mustapha returned from a knee injury mid-season he stepped in for Sigle and never relinquished the starting spot.
In 15 games, Sigle earned seven starts last season as a fifth-round pick out of Kansas State. He notched 52 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups. Mustapha appeared in 12 games with 10 starts. He had 76 tackles, three tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one interception.
It'll still be worth keeping a close eye on the safety battle, it's just going to look different as Sigle gets an unimpeded chance to stake his claim to one of the two starting spots.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Malik Mustapha injury shakes up 49ers battle for starting safety jobs
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