The San Francisco 49ers’ momentum has taken a sharp turn downward following their win over the Chicago Bears. Despite the optimism generated from last week’s victory, the team now faces multiple challenges heading into a critical Thursday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Earlier this week, wide receiver Deebo Samuel stirred controversy by airing frustrations over his offensive role on social media. His post drew widespread media attention, including commentary from former Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth.
Now, the 49ers have received even worse news: two key starters have been ruled out for this pivotal contest.
Two Starters Sidelined for 49ers
San Francisco will be without left tackle Trent Williams and safety Malik Mustapha when they face the Rams.
Williams, who continues to recover from ankle and heel injuries, hasn’t played since the team’s Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on November 17. His absence on Thursday will mark his fourth straight missed game.
The 49ers have struggled without Williams, going 1-2 in his absence this season. Since 2020, the team has posted a 4-8 record when their All-Pro left tackle is unavailable, though two of those wins came against the Rams.
Meanwhile, rookie safety Malik Mustapha has been ruled out after suffering chest and shoulder injuries during the win over the Bears. Despite limited participation in Tuesday’s walkthrough, the team determined Mustapha’s injuries were too significant to play through. However, there is no indication he will miss additional games beyond this week.
With Williams and Mustapha sidelined, the 49ers will rely on backups who are no strangers to stepping into these roles.
Backup Plans: Moore and Brown
Jaylon Moore, a former fifth-round pick, will continue to fill in for Trent Williams at left tackle. Moore has performed admirably in Williams’ absence, starting the last three games and earning praise for his solid play.
Since stepping into the starting lineup in Week 12, Moore has achieved a 77.6 offensive grade and excelled in pass protection. Over 86 pass-blocking snaps, Moore has allowed zero sacks and just four pressures, giving him an efficiency rating of 97.6, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Remarkably, Moore’s recent efficiency rating is 0.1 points higher than Williams’ season average.
In Mustapha’s place, Ji’Ayir Brown will reclaim the starting safety role. A former third-round pick, Brown has started all but one game this season but struggled to find consistency.
Brown was benched last week in favor of the returning Talanoa Hufanga. Across 13 games this season, Brown has recorded 63 tackles and one interception but has often struggled in both coverage and run defense.
According to PFF, Brown has a 68 coverage grade for the season, which has dropped below 50 on four occasions. His run defense grade is even lower, sitting at 51.3. By comparison, Mustapha boasts a team-best 77.2 run defense grade.
Tough Test Against the Rams
Moore and Brown will face significant challenges against a Rams team riding high after an explosive performance.
The Rams’ defense ranks 10th in pass-rushing grade and 13th in pressure percentage, according to Pro Football Reference. On offense, Los Angeles is coming off a dominant showing against the Buffalo Bills, where quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams also added 137 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the 44-34 victory.
San Francisco’s fill-ins will need to deliver strong performances to keep the 49ers competitive in this playoff-implicating showdown.
