Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week Five
10/13/2026 2:36:00 PM | Football
Safeties Jessie Bates III and Malik Mustapha notched stellar defensive performances to lead ProDeacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – ProDeacs returned once again during Week Five of the 2026 NFL season, headlined by a stellar defensive performance by safety Jessie Bates III in primetime, fellow safety Malik Mustapha coming in clutch for the San Francisco 49ers in a back-and-forth NFC West battle and another solid performance by linebacker Justin Strnad.
Bates III Shines in Primetime
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded his best performance of the season this week as he and the Atlanta Falcons battled the Baltimore Ravens in primetime on Sunday Night Football. Bates tallied six tackles with four solo efforts, as well as a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Bates has been one of the best safeties in the league over his nine seasons in the NFL. Over his career, Bates has recorded 834 tackles with 546 solo efforts, as well as 27 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Additionally, with his fumble recovery, Bates notched his third career defensive touchdown.
Mustapha Comes in Clutch to Keep San Francisco Undefeated
Safety Malik Mustapha came in clutch on Sunday as he helped the San Francisco 49ers remain undefeated as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC West showdown, 32-29. With the Seahawks driving late in the fourth quarter, Mustapha logged the game-winning tackle on fourth down to move the 49ers to 5-0. The third-year pro also logged a fumble recovery during the second quarter that resulted in a touchdown one play later.
Overall, Mustapha finished Sunday's game with seven tackles, including five solo efforts, and a pass defense.
Strnad Leads Denver to Victory in AFC West Battle
Linebacker Justin Strnad added another solid outing as he led the Denver Broncos past the Los Angeles Chargers to keep pace in the AFC West. Strnad totaled a team-high eight tackles with five solo tackles and a tackle for loss, as well as a pass defense. Strnad has now tallied 27 tackles with 15 solo efforts and two pass defenses this season.
#Pro Deacs Week Six Slate (All times eastern)
Bates III Shines in Primetime
Safety Jessie Bates III recorded his best performance of the season this week as he and the Atlanta Falcons battled the Baltimore Ravens in primetime on Sunday Night Football. Bates tallied six tackles with four solo efforts, as well as a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
FUMBLE!!! That's a @jlbiii3 touchdown 😮💨 NBC | NFL+ https://t.co/k5bVMSwAxD
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 12, 2026
Bates has been one of the best safeties in the league over his nine seasons in the NFL. Over his career, Bates has recorded 834 tackles with 546 solo efforts, as well as 27 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Additionally, with his fumble recovery, Bates notched his third career defensive touchdown.
Mustapha Comes in Clutch to Keep San Francisco Undefeated
Safety Malik Mustapha came in clutch on Sunday as he helped the San Francisco 49ers remain undefeated as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC West showdown, 32-29. With the Seahawks driving late in the fourth quarter, Mustapha logged the game-winning tackle on fourth down to move the 49ers to 5-0. The third-year pro also logged a fumble recovery during the second quarter that resulted in a touchdown one play later.
49ers take over in the red zone! @SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/YmtoOtcTi5
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Cooper Kupp is short and the @49ers take over! @SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/k9426I2gFe
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Overall, Mustapha finished Sunday's game with seven tackles, including five solo efforts, and a pass defense.
Strnad Leads Denver to Victory in AFC West Battle
Linebacker Justin Strnad added another solid outing as he led the Denver Broncos past the Los Angeles Chargers to keep pace in the AFC West. Strnad totaled a team-high eight tackles with five solo tackles and a tackle for loss, as well as a pass defense. Strnad has now tallied 27 tackles with 15 solo efforts and two pass defenses this season.
#Pro Deacs Week Six Slate (All times eastern)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 30 defeated Atlanta Falcons 23 (OT)
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Lardarius Webb Jr. (BAL - PS)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 30 defeated Atlanta Falcons 23 (OT)
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Greg Dortch (BUF - PS)
- Last Week: Buffalo Bills 37 defeated Los Angeles Rams 34 (OT)
- This Week: Buffalo Bills vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Jayden Loving (CHI)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 31 defeated Chicago Bears 7
- This Week: Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (CIN - IR)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 31 defeated Miami Dolphins 24
- This Week: Bye Week
- Ke'Shawn Williams (CIN)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 31 defeated Miami Dolphins 24
- This Week: Bye Week
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: New York Jets 17 defeated Cleveland Browns 12
- This Week: Baltimore Ravens vs.Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 defeated Dallas Cowboys 16
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 23 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 17
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Zach Bako-Bewele (GB - IR)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 31 defeated Chicago Bears 7
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Branson Combs (JAX)
- Last Week: Jacksonville Jaguars 19 defeated Philadelphia Eagles 17
- This Week: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network)
- Kenneth Walker III (KC)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Nick Andersen (LAR - PS)
- Last Week: Buffalo Bills 37 defeated Los Angeles Rams 34 (OT)
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LAR - PS)
- Last Week: Buffalo Bills 37 defeated Los Angeles Rams 34 (OT)
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Buffalo Bills 37 defeated Los Angeles Rams 34 (OT)
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Demond Claiborne (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated New Orleans Saints 13
- This Week: Bye Week
- Michael Jergens (MIN - IR)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated New Orleans Saints 13
- This Week: Bye Week
- Karon Prunty (NE)
- Last Week: New England Patriots 45 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 17
- This Week: New York Jets vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 32 defeated Seattle Seahawks 29
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. San Francisco 49ers (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Matt Gulbin (WAS)
- Last Week: New York Giants 27 tied Washington Commanders 27
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. San Francisco 49ers (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: New York Giants 27 tied Washington Commanders 27
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. San Francisco 49ers (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballMonday, October 12
Wednesday, October 07
Wednesday, October 07
Tuesday, October 06