Rookie defensive back emerges as 49ers’ surprise hero in win vs. Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers can thank quarterback Mac Jones, kicker Eddy Pineiro and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for helping ensure Week 3's nail-biting home win over the Arizona Cardinals didn't turn into a 2025 edition of all those heartbreaking 2024 late-game collapses.

The Niners need to thank rookie cornerback Upton Stout a lot, too.

Late in the fourth quarter, following Arizona taking a 15-13 lead off a safety in the wake of right guard Dominick Puni's holding penalty in the end zone, quarterback Kyler Murray dropped back to pass after the two-minute warning. With one timeout remaining, the 3rd-and-9 attempt appeared to be destined for a first down, which would have all but iced the game for the Cardinals, allowing them to run out the clock.

But Stout had other plans, somehow jarring the ball loose from wide receiver Zay Jones for an incomplete pass:

"That's how kind of Upton's been with everything," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. "Just never quits, never stopped, ate up the cushion. ... Huge game, wouldn't have been able to win it without that play."

It would have been understandable if a deflated San Francisco defense merely collapsed on the Cardinals' final drive, especially after the offense committed a safety violation the previous drive, leading to Arizona's late lead.

But Stout ensured not only the clock would stop by breaking up the pass but also that the 49ers would have one final chance after getting the ball back.

They did, taking full advantage after Stout's highlight play.

The third-round draftee is going to continue making mistakes over the course of his rookie season, which is to be expected. And the hope is those lesson as he continues to acclimate to life at the NFL level.

However, plays like the game-saver he made in Week 3 full reveal why the 49ers were so high on him when he was available in Round 3 last April.

Now, he's paying out the investment with a win that likely wouldn't have happened if he wasn't in the fold.