49ers See Safety Depth Turn Former Weakness Into Strength

Two games into the 2026 season, San Francisco believes it has three starting-caliber safeties, leaving Malik Mustapha as the odd man out.

Safety had been a lingering concern for the San Francisco 49ers, who have searched for a reliable pairing since Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga held the starting jobs in 2023. Hufanga's season that year was cut short by injury, and Ji'Ayir Brown's inconsistency in subsequent seasons left the position unsettled.

Two games into the 2026 campaign, the outlook has changed. Brown and 2025 fifth-round pick Marques Sigle have impressed as the starting duo. In Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins, Brown recorded 13 combined tackles and a tackle for loss, while Sigle added nine tackles and the first sack of his NFL career. Sigle, a former Kansas State defender, has yet to allow a reception through two games.

Snap counts reflect the pecking order. Sigle has played 111 of 120 defensive snaps this season and Brown has missed only nine, leaving Malik Mustapha with limited reps. Mustapha, whose 2024 progress was slowed by injuries, missed much of training camp with a hamstring issue and did not get fully healthy until the team was in Australia, allowing the two starters to solidify their roles.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he has been pleased with the group. "We've got three guys right there who could all start for us, so it's a good problem to have," Shanahan said on a Monday conference call, noting that Mustapha has looked strong in practice and played well in his limited snaps.

The 49ers also carry veteran Ashtyn Davis as added depth. If Sigle or Brown struggles, Shanahan indicated the team would be comfortable working Mustapha back into the rotation.