{
  "id": 13001675,
  "title": "49ers have new starting safety in Week 5, will switch be permanent?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/49ers-have-new-starting-safety-in-week-5-will-switch-be-permanent",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:00:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/49ers-starting-safety-week-5-020053262.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Week 5, the San Francisco 49ers will see a new starting safety when Marques Sigle misses due to a high ankle sprain. Malik Mustapha, the team's third-year safety, will likely assume the starter role while Sigle is sidelined until next season. Mustapha initially took over the starting position last year following shoulder surgery, a situation similar to this year's scenario. When Mustapha returned, he contributed significantly to the defense, playing a substantial number of snaps and making crucial tackles and pass breakups. However, Sigle demonstrated an improvement in coverage, allowing a lower completion rate and passing rating compared to his performance the previous year. The 49ers may benefit from implementing a three-safety rotation, allowing both Mustapha's physicality in the run game and Sigle's athleticism and coverage improvements to contribute effectively. While the team doesn't possess two elite starters, they have enough talent in Mustapha and Sigle to produce high-level results alongside corner Jire Brown. Once Sigle recovers, he should remain an integral part of the defense, even if he relinquishes the starting position.",
  "summary": "The San Francisco 49ers will have to make a change at safety after one starter got hurt, but will that change be permanent?",
  "key_points": [
    "Marques Sigle will miss Week 5 due to high ankle sprain.",
    "Malik Mustapha will likely start as new safety.",
    "Team may adopt three-safety rotation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}