5 players who must see more field time after 49ers' latest wave of injuries

Safety Malik Mustapha

This one already seems to be happening, given rookie safety Malik Mustapha started in relief of the injured Talanoa Hufanga in Sunday's win over the Patriots, but it's worth documenting a number of things the young defensive back could add to the team moving forward.

The 49ers have looked their best in years prior when able to rotate youth and experience at safety. Think about the trios of Tashaun Gipson, J'ayir Brown and the aforementioned Hufanga, or Jaquiski Tartt, Gipson and Hufanga.

If Mustapha can continue his development, he may well allow the team to do that, as well as employ some three-safety looks when required.

He'll need to fix some inconsistencies in his play -- he had a high-profile whiff in run support both late against the Rams and early against the Patriots -- but he's showing a knack for finding the ball, which is key for any young safety, and he brings a hard-hitting energy San Francisco lacks without Hufanga in the lineup.

There's certainly a lot of rawness to Mustapha's game, but as Hufanga continues to work his way back from both his current injury and his long-term one which robbed him of most of last season, the rookie has a vital role to play in ensuring the 49ers continue to play at a high level on the back end. Given the energy he's bringing in his current snaps, it would be a surprise if defensive coordinator Nick Sorenson and his lieutenants don't find a way to get him on the field a little more often.

In fact, given the Niners are both banged up and looking for slightly more playmaking ability at linebacker in the absence of Greenlaw, you might even see some defensive wrinkles that allow him and Hufanga to play a little closer to the ball as well.