Published October 19, 2026 08:43 PM
For the second straight game, 49ers safety Malik Mustapha has avoided a flag for an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver. For the second straight week, Mustapha likely will be fined.
Against the Seahawks, Mustapha applied a helmet-to-helmet hit on Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the Seahawks’ final drive of the game. If caught by the officials, Seattle would have had a first down on the San Francisco 35, down three points with 1:09 to play.
Mustapha was fined $6,998 by the league office.
On the opening Commanders drive during Monday night’s game in Santa Clara, Mustapha applied an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on Washington receiver Stefon Diggs. It was not flagged.
As explained on the main ESPN broadcast, it should have been. And it likely will draw another fine.
If/when fined again, Mustapha will be one more illegal hit away from an automatic suspension, under the new NFL-NFL Players Association approach to five specific safety violations.
And, technically, Mustapha is already in line for a suspension. With the second violation coming so early in the Week 6 game, another one during the game against the Commanders will be No. 3.