Bhan-đ„ The Bay just got louder â the âHuman Bulletâ is BACK at practice, and the 49ersâ defense is buzzing like a loaded weapon. Speed, violence, and pure chaos are returning to Leviâs. đ„#49ers #FaithfulToTheBay #NinersDefense #HumanBullet #NFL
The San Francisco 49ers officially opened the practice window for safety Malik Mustapha on Monday, and his teammates are thrilled to see the second-year defender back on the field.
“A real bullet. I call himâhe’s like our human bullet out there,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said after practice. “There’s no fear, a relentless player. I can’t wait to have him back. I’m happy to have him back, and I’m happy he’s ready to go.”
“Alhamdulillah,” Mustapha shared via social media. “Truly thankful to step back on the practice field today. Nothing but gratitude for the journey and the people who supported me along the way.”
Mustapha impressed as a rookie in 2024, appearing in 16 games with 12 starts. He finished the year with 72 tackles (two for loss), one interception, and five passes defensed. Unfortunately, in the final game, he sustained a knee injury related to an ACL tear he suffered in college and required surgery.
“Just the way he works, the way everything checks, it’s amazing, but it’s still an ACL, so you’ve still got to give it the time,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said in July.
The young safety began 2025 on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but now the 49ers have 21 days to decide whether to activate him. If he proves healthy, Mustapha could provide a major boost to San Francisco’s secondary as the team looks to maintain its lead atop the NFC West.
Eagles Get Good News on 1 Key Injury, While Questions Remain for 2 Others
The Philadelphia Eagles are set for a very important Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. After winning their first four games this season, the Eagles have lost consecutive games to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, and in the process, some real concerns about this team have begun to pop up.
The good news is that thereâs still a lot of time for the team to be able to turn things around, but getting a victory against the Vikings feels like a must. Having their best players on the field will be key, and ahead of this game, the Eagles received several important injury updates that could end up having a major impact on the outcome of this contest.
Quinyon Mitchell Good to Go for Eagles: Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson Questionable
On the other end, #Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring) is off the injury report and good to go. Jalen Carter (heel, limited today) and Landon Dickerson (ankle, full) are questionable. https://t.co/tQLfAxbWCW
â Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 17, 2025
While it canât be solely to blame for Philadelphiaâs struggles, injuries have played a role in their recent struggles. The front seven on defense has been shorthanded all season long, and ZaâDarius Smithâs sudden retirement earlier this week certainly isnât going to make things easier on this unit. Beyond that, the cornerback position looks a lot worse when Quinyon Mitchell isnât on the field.
Mitchell was forced out of the Eaglesâ Week 6 loss to the Giants on Thursday Night Football early with a hamstring injury, forcing the team to turn to Adoreeâ Jackson and Kelee Ringo as its top two outside cornerbacks. Both guys have been awful this season, and it wasnât a surprise to see Philly struggle to get stops without Mitchell. However, he was removed from the teamâs injury report on Friday, clearing him to play in Week 7.
Elsewhere, though, Philadelphia could be without star defensive tackle Jalen Carter and starting left guard Landon Dickerson. Carter didnât play in Week 6 due to a heel injury, while Dickerson missed the game with a lingering ankle injury. Both guys are listed as questionable for this game, but considering how they both practiced Friday, it seems like they are on track to play vs. the Vikings.
âEagles CB Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring) is off the injury report and good to go. Jalen Carter (heel, limited today) and Landon Dickerson (ankle, full) are questionable,â Mike Garafolo of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
Will Jalen Carter, Landon Dickerson Play in Week 7?
Just having Mitchell back is a major win for the Eagles, as their secondary was horrific without him. However, getting Carter and Dickerson on the field could be a major win for Philadelphia, too. Dickerson was a full participant at practice on Friday, while Carter was limited, so while both seem to have a good shot at playing, it appears Dickerson is more likely to play than Carter at this point.
If Carter canât go, that would force Byron Young to step into a starting role on the defensive line alongside Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis. On offense, Brett Toth would be tasked with filling in for Dickerson if he canât suit up. It will be worth checking in on both of these guysâ injury statuses before kickoff, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
