Tennessee’s Nashville The 49ers’ stars refrained from playing in Saturday’s 17-13 preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, allowing the younger guys to showcase their development.
Coach Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers was happy with the play of several of his young defenders, who included safety Malik Mustapha, linebackers Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune, and Curtis Robinson.
“I believed they were present,” Shanahan remarked. “I can’t wait to see the tape and watch them on the plane.” I adored how Dee’s stuff flashes on the sidelines when you run and hit. Observed that from both him and Mustapha. Being with those guys aroused me quite a bit.
Mustapha, a fourth-round pick in 2024, showed his value in all areas of the game, with two crucial defensive tackles and one on special teams.
On a fourth-and-1 play in the second quarter, the Titans were two yards from scoring, but the rookie forced a turnover on downs by holding Titans running back Hassan Haskins.
Soon after, Mustapha halted Titans returner Kearis Jackson in his tracks on the first kickoff of the second half, restricting him to an 18-yard return.
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The 49ers saw a noticeable improvement from Bethune, a 2024 seventh-round selection, who led the team with eight total tackles (five solo and one for a loss). The fourth-year pro Robinson, who replaced All-Pro Fred Warner with ease, was perhaps the most impressive.
“I felt he did an incredible job leading the defense and playing linebacker for MIKE,” Shanahan remarked. “You got to have a lot of command, and from what I saw, he made a couple of plays in addition to getting our guys lined up in the right spots.”
Robinson joined the 49ers in 2021 and has only made nine appearances overall, mostly on special teams and defense. He recorded seven tackles on Saturday, including four solo stops.
Winters saw a lot of action on the field as well, recording five tackles, including two solo and one for a loss. Warner and Dre Greenlaw have noted an increase in the second-year professional’s output.
Following the game, Winters, a sixth-round pick in 2023, told NBC Sports Bay Area, “I think it’s just preparation.” describing the movie in full, the plan, what we do, and who we are. That’s what has made me more competitive this year.
With a number of players, such as safety Talanoa Hufanga and guard Greenlaw, set to become unrestricted free agents in 2025, Shanahan can feel secure knowing that young players already on the 49ers’ roster will be able to step up when needed.
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This article has the following tags: Malik Mustapha
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