The 49ers activated Hufanga (knee) from the active/PUP list Tuesday. Hufanga is recovering from a torn ACL that he sustained in Week 11 last year, and coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that he might be placed on injured reserve for the first four games of the 2024 campaign. While he avoided landing on this list as part of San Francisco's final 53-man roster moves, it's still unclear if the 2022 All-Pro will be available for the regular-season opener versus the Jets on Monday, Sept. 9. Hufanga recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions across 10 games last season. If he's ultimately sidened Week 1, then either George Odum or rookie Malik Mustapha should step in as the 49ers' starting strong safety.
![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=380)
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Knee - ACL - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-09-09Previous game (vs. TB 11/19)
Latest Talanoa Hufanga news
![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=100)
Talanoa Hufanga Career Stats
Career Stats
Defensive
Year | GP | SOLO | AST | TOTAL | SACK | SACKYDS | INT | DEF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 10 | 39 | 12 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
2022 | 17 | 65 | 30 | 95 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 9 |
2021 | 15 | 23 | 7 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=100)
Talanoa Hufanga Game Log 2023
-
defensiveDateOppResultSOLOASTTOTALSACKSACKYDSINTDEFTFL8/19W 21-2010100000
Preseason Totals 10100000 -
defensiveDateOppResultSOLOASTTOTALSACKSACKYDSINTDEFTFL11/19W 27-141010000011/12W 34-35270011010/29L 17-3182100000010/23L 17-227290000010/15L 17-195270000010/8W 42-101010000010/1W 35-16415000009/21W 30-12101001109/17W 30-23235000009/10W 30-750500111
Regular Season Totals 39125100331
![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=100)
Talanoa Hufanga Player Profile
Career History
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![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=100)
Talanoa Hufanga Fantasy Projections
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![Talanoa Hufanga](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2086.png?w=100)
Talanoa Hufanga Latest News
Avoids starting the seaosn on PUP
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
The 49ers activated Hufanga (knee) from the active/PUP list Tuesday. Hufanga is recovering from a torn ACL that he sustained in Week 11 last year, and coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that he might be placed on injured reserve for the first four games of the 2024 campaign. While he avoided landing on this list as part of San Francisco's final 53-man roster moves, it's still unclear if the 2022 All-Pro will be available for the regular-season opener versus the Jets on Monday, Sept. 9. Hufanga recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions across 10 games last season. If he's ultimately sidened Week 1, then either George Odum or rookie Malik Mustapha should step in as the 49ers' starting strong safety.
May begin season on IR
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that a decision will be made on whether Hufanga (knee) will begin the season on injured reserve, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports. Hufanga is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in Week 11 last season. He began training camp on the active/PUP list and he has yet to participate in a practice session. If Hufanga were to be placed on injured reserve to start the regular season, he would be forced to sit out for the first four games and wouldn't be eligible to return until Week 5 against the Cardinals on Oct. 6. The 2021 fifth-round pick registered 52 tackles (39 solo) and three interceptions across 10 regular-season games in 2023.
Missing practice with ACL injury
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Hufanga (ACL) is sitting out of practice ahead of the 49ers' preseason finale at Las Vegas, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. It was believed that Hufanga might be starting to work his way back into drills by now, but he apparently still has a ways to go. Until he can suit up again, George Odum could see more practice reps.
Could resume practice soon
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Hufanga (knee) may start getting eased into practice pending good news from his doctor this week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. Coach Kyle Shanahan said late in July that he expected Hufanga to return to football activities within a matter of weeks, and he's getting closer to fulfilling that goal. In any case, it would still be impressive if he were available for action come Week 1.
Expected back within two weeks
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday that he expects Hufanga (knee) to be back "in the next week or two," David Lombardi of The Athletic reports. Hufanga is in the final stages of his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last November against Tampa Bay. Shanahan indicated Saturday that Hufanga may be able to return around the time the 49ers and Saints hold joint practices, which will take place in mid-August. Hufanga thus has a good chance of being ready to take on his starting safety role from the opening game of the regular season.
Starts camp on PUP
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
The 49ers placed Hufanga (knee) on the active/PUP list Tuesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports. Hufanga is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last Week 11. He's just over eight months removed from the injury, so there's certainly a chance he's back for Week 1 this season. Once healthy, Hufanga will reclaim his starting safety role next to Ji'Ayir Brown.
Expected back during training camp
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Hufanga (knee) is expected to return to the mix "sometime in training camp," according to coach Kyle Shanahan, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports. Hufanga tore his ACL during Week 11 action last season, so look for the safety to work his way back gradually once he resumes on-field activities. Prior to sustaining his injury, the 2021 fifth-rounder had recorded 52 tackles and three picks in 10 regular-season contests. Once Hufanga is fully recovered, he'll have an opportunity to reclaim his role as the 49ers' starting strong safety.
Initial diagnosis confirmed
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Shanahan had already said after the game Sunday that Hufanga had likely suffered a torn ACL, and follow-up tests on the safety's knee quickly confirmed as much. The loss of Hufanga is a devastating one for the San Francisco defense, as the 23-year-old has emerged as one of the NFL's premier safeties in his third season in the league. Over 10 appearances this season, Hufanga tallied 52 tackles and three interceptions.
Season-high tackles in win
![Team logo](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/san-francisco-49ers-logo.png?w=150)
Hufanga was in a three-way tie for most tackles on the day with Isaiah Oliver and Fred Warner. It was the first time Hufanga reached double-digit tackles this year and was the first time he's done so in Week 1 of the 2022 season. He's played in 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps in each of the last three games.