The San Francisco 49ers’ defense has dealt with injuries across every level of the field this season but for once, there’s actually good news in Santa Clara. While rookie safety Malik Mustapha works his way back from injured reserve, the Niners finds itself in the rare position of having a surplus of qualified safeties ready to contribute. (Please, knock on wood…..like for real.)

As the team prepares for Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and San Francisco’s staff will have some interesting choices to make regarding who starts opposite Mustapha once he’s fully cleared and who holds down the fort in the meantime while he is rotating in.

The Present: A Deep and Versatile Safety Room

While Mustapha continues to rehab, the 49ers have leaned on a combination of Jason Pinnock, Marques Sigle, and Ji’Ayir Brown. Each brings something unique to the table, and that flexibility is exactly why the position has been such a stabilizing force amid chaos elsewhere on the defense.

Jason Pinnock: The Veteran Presence

Jason Pinnock has been the most consistent of the group, providing range, communication, and leadership on the back end. After coming over from the New York Giants, Pinnock has quickly earned the trust of coaches for his discipline in zone coverage and his physicality downhill.

He’s recorded 27 total tackles, two passes defended, and one interception through six games this season, according to Pro Football Reference. Pinnock’s versatility, being able to rotate between free and strong safety, makes him a reliable stopgap while Mustapha ramps back up. Expect him to continue anchoring the secondary as the veteran stabilizer.

Marques Sigle: The Rookie Wild Card

Marques Sigle has quietly impressed in limited snaps. The undrafted rookie out of North Dakota State has shown strong instincts in the box and good tackling fundamentals. His college tape showed a player unafraid to fill lanes and play the run, and it fits Saleh's scheme perfectly.

Sigle may not yet have the coverage range of Pinnock or Brown, but his aggression and confidence stand out. In sub packages or heavy run situations, don’t be surprised if Sigle continues to see rotational reps, especially with Mustapha still easing back in.

Ji’Ayir Brown: The Playmaker Waiting to Re-Emerge

Then there’s Ji’Ayir Brown, the second-year safety who started much of 2024 and flashed high-end playmaking ability. Brown has 38 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble this year, though his snap count has fluctuated as the team rotated personnel. He was rotating in and out but has recently taken over the starting spot where Mustapha would normally be. 

Brown reads the field well, has the range to cover deep zones, and is capable of producing turnovers. If Saleh wants more aggressiveness and ball hawking on the back end, Brown could find himself staying in a featured role even when Mustapha is back to health. 

The Future: Mustapha’s Return Could Create a Good Problem

When Malik Mustapha is fully able to return, he’ll likely reclaim a starting spot. His combination of speed, tackling power, and closing burst made him a draft-day steal and a natural fit in this scheme. But the question remains: Who lines up next to him?

Right now, Jason Pinnock appears to have the edge based on reliability and communication, but Ji’Ayir Brown’s ball skills give him a strong case for more snaps. Marques Sigle, meanwhile, could remain a valuable rotational piece, especially in three-safety looks or run-heavy matchups.

For once, this is a “problem” San Francisco is glad to have. In a season where depth has been tested everywhere else, the safety room might just be the group holding the defense together.