San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) suffered torn wrist ligaments in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and is expected to miss a month, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Hufanga obviously has been unable to practice this week ahead of the Thursday night divisional clash against the Seattle Seahawks to kick off Week 6 action. The 24-year-old will now be a candidate to land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in Week 11 of last year and he wasn't able to make his 2024 debut until Week 3. He also missed Week 4 due to injury and is now going to miss more time. It's a blow to what hasn't been as dominant of a 49ers defense so far this year, but they should still be considered a top-10 fantasy unit this week on the road against Seattle.
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals. Hufanga has battled several injuries, with the 24-year-old missing three games already this season, in addition to logging just 10 contests in 2023-24. Malik Mustapha entered the contest and took over at the position. With that said, Hufanga will likely undergo further testing, so there is a chance the Niners won't have him on Thursday night versus the Seahawks.
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is set to be a full participant in practice this week and is expected to make his season debut against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said, "He should get back this week if everything goes right, and we've missed him." The 49ers defense had a strong outing in Week 1 against the Jets but struggled in Week 2 against the Vikings, allowing 268 yards and two touchdowns through the air. With Hufanga returning to the lineup, the 49ers defense remains a must-play in fantasy, especially against an injury-riddled Rams offense in Week 3.
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is inactive for Week 2 versus the Minnesota Vikings. He had been listed as doubtful. Hufanga tore his ACL last season and has not yet appeared in a game in 2024. The 25-year-old had seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two sacks through 27 games between 2022 and 2023. George Odum will start in his place this week.
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is officially inactive for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night versus the New York Jets. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL late last year and was listed as doubtful for this week's game, so fantasy managers in IDP leagues should have already had the 24-year-old defensive back on their benches. Hufanga is no lock to make his 2024 debut in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, either, and he very well could be eased into a full-time role again when he does find his way back onto the field. The Niners' already strong defense/special teams will remain a must-start on a weekly basis for however long Hufanga is out. When healthy, Hufanga is a ball-hawking defensive back worth holding onto in IDP leagues. George Odom could start in his place on Monday.
Talanoa Hufanga Limited In First Official Practice
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) was listed as a limited participant in the team's first official practice on Thursday. Despite being on the practice field on Thursday, Hufanga's availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the New York Jets is up in the air after he wasn't activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp until Aug. 27. The 24-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 11 of 2023. Hufanga, who was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in his second year in the NFL in 2022, is a huge ball-hawking asset for the 49ers secondary when he's healthy, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should expect him to be eased into the early portion of the 2024 campaign. Even if Hufanga is active on Monday, he's likely to be on a pitch count snap-wise and shouldn't be in IDP starting lineups.
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) passed his physical and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Head coach Kyle Shanahan previously suggested that Hufanga may have to open the 2024 regular season on the PUP list, which would have caused him to miss at least the first four games. It's unknown if Hufanga will be available for the Week 1 contest on Monday night against the New York Jets, but his activation from the PUP list indicates the Niners expect him on the field in early September. The 24-year-old suffered a torn ACL in Week 11 of last year and will now get back on the field as he attempts to return to his ball-hawking ways in San Fran's secondary. The former fifth-rounder in 2021 had 52 tackles (39 solo) and three interceptions in 10 games before tearing his ACL. In deep enough IDP formats, Hufanga is worth a bench stash.
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) said his goal is to be available in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 2021 fifth-round pick and 2022 Pro Bowl selection hopes he can return at some point in training camp later this summer to ramp up for regular-season action. August 19 will mark nine months since his right ACL tear, so there's a chance he will achieve his goal. That said, it's early in the offseason, so there will be plenty of updates on his status. Hufanga should start alongside second-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown as soon as he's fully cleared for action. The 24-year-old USC product has tallied 181 tackles, two sacks, seven interceptions, and 14 pass deflections through his first 42 games. In IDP leagues, he scored the fourth-most fantasy points among safeties in 2022.
Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
The San Francisco 49ers expect safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) to return from his ACL injury "sometime in training camp" this summer, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The head coach also sounded optimistic about Hufanga's ability to return to 100 percent of his old self. The Niners would like to add a safety, but they told recent visitor Julian Blackmon that a new addition wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed a starting spot in 2024. Hufanga probably won't be ready to go for Day 1 of training camp as he works his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 11 of 2023. The 24-year-old defensive back is one of the rising young options at his position in IDP fantasy leagues when healthy. Hufanga had 52 tackles and three interceptions last year before suffering his season-ending injury.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) likely has a torn ACL, which would end his 2023 season. Hufanga was fooled in the open field in the Week 11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by running back Rachaad White, which is when he suffered the devastating injury. The 23-year-old left the stadium on Sunday on crutches and with a brace on his right knee. The 49ers defense will still be formidable the rest of the way, but Hufanga was a huge part of their secondary and for fantasy managers in IDP leagues, as he had 51 tackles (38 solo), two QB hits and three interceptions in nine games this year heading into Week 11 action. If Hufanga is ruled out for the rest of the year, as is expected, look for both Ji'Ayir Brown and George Odum to see more playing time.
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