Fred Warner was fined for hit on a defenseless player, Malik Mustapha was not

Published October 24, 2026 04:24 PM 49ers linebacker Fred Warner heard from the NFL a couple of times for plays he made during Week 6. Warner was fined twice for hits on Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo in the 49ers’ win on Monday night. Warner was fined $47,762 for a hit on a defenseless player and $17,911 for using his helmet to initiate contact. The defenseless player hit was initially flagged during the game, but it was picked up by officials. If Warner is disciplined for two more hits on defenseless players, he will be suspended for one game. Warner also has been fined for a hip-drop tackle, which carries the same possibility of suspension if he is guilty of three of them. 49ers safety Malik Mustapha avoided a flag for a hit on Stefon Diggs in the Commanders game, but some expected a fine for hitting a defenseless player given the ESPN broadcast’s belief that it should have been a penalty. Mustapha was not fined, however, and that means he remains at one foul toward his own possible suspension for multiple hits on defenseless players this season.